| | Associated Press
CONCORD, N.C.-- Still mourning the death of his son, Kyle
Petty won't be trying to make the field for The Winston for the
first time in his career.
Petty pulled out of Saturday's all-star event, as well as next week's Coca-Cola 600, while he and his family grieve for 19-year-old Adam, killed May 12 when he crashed during practice for the Busch 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway. His funeral was Monday.
Steve Grissom will drive the No. 44 car May 28 in the Coca-Cola 600, Petty Enterprises said Thursday. The Petty family also released a statement Thursday thanking fans for their support.
"We are truly grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers
and love we have received over the past few days," the statement
said.
"This is a very difficult time for all of us, but we so
appreciate the way our friends and fans from all over the world
have expressed their love for Adam. We thank each and every one of
you."
Grissom currently drives for Petty Enterprises on NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series and also is the test driver for Petty's Dodge developmental work in Winston Cup.
"One thing I found out right away is that when you go to work at Petty Enterprises, you become one of the family," Grissom said. "We're all hurting, but we're going to do everything we can do to make Kyle proud of us at Charlotte."
Crew chief Bobby Leslie said Kyle Petty was not up to racing.
"You need someone with a great deal of talent, experience and focus to be successful at Charlotte," Leslie said. "Kyle Petty certainly has the talent and experience, but I believe he realizes focus is just going to be difficult for a while."
The Winston is a 70-lap race run in three segments, culminating
in a 10-lap final dash for a $500,000 first prize. The field is set
according to criteria for qualifying at least 20 drivers.
Those earning automatic eligibility are drivers and car owners
who have won races in the current and preceding years; active
drivers who have won a Winston Cup championship; and active drivers
not otherwise qualified who have won The Winston in the past five
years.
Eighteen drivers met that criteria and determined their starting
spots in time trials Friday.
The qualifying process will begin with a two-tire pit stop
rather than the previous four-tire stops the event has required.
After a stop, drivers can exit pit road under no speed limit and
make three laps around the track. The total elapsed time for the
pit stop and the three laps will be used to set the starting grid.
When that's over, the other Winston Cup drivers will compete for
two remaining spots in The Winston's field.
Two 25-lap races will be held Friday night to set starting
positions for Saturday's 30-lap Winston Open. The winner of that
event moves to the main show.
Other cars finishing on the lead lap of The Winston Open will be
eligible to run in the 16-lap No Bull Sprint. That winner also
moves on to The Winston. | |
ALSO SEE
'Humpy' likes Little E's chances in Winston
Dunlap: The Winston isn't perfect, but it's fun
 |
