Petty Enterprises Announces Crew Chief Changes

LEVEL CROSS, NC (December 13, 1999) - Developing its leadership team for the future, Petty Enterprises has named four winning veterans to new NASCAR Winston Cup positions. Kyle Petty made the announcements today.

Greg Steadman has been promoted to crew chief for the #43 STP Pontiac driven by John Andretti, while Bobby Leslie joins Petty Enterprises to become crew chief for the #44 Hot Wheels Racing Pontiac driven by Petty. Shane Cook has been named car chief for the #44 and Doug Murph has been named car chief for the #43, both moving up from the same respective teams.

"Making these moves not only strengthens both race teams but it continues the improvements we've made over the past year," Petty said. "We made some big strides throughout 1999, and these promotions will keep us on the right road.

"There is a lot of pride in how far we've come since putting both teams in Level Cross a year ago. These guys are winners and nobody here is going to be satisfied until that's what we're doing on a consistent basis," Petty continued.

Steadman, 30, was car chief for the STP Pontiac, having joined Petty Enterprises in 1995. He has served as rear tire changer on race day, and is a native of Tampa, Fla.

Leslie joined Petty Enterprises earlier this year from Roush Racing, where he was Busch Grand National racing's winningest crew chief from 1992-97. He had served as crew chief for Johnny Benson's Cheerios Ford in 1998.

Murph, 43, begins his eighth year with Petty Enterprises, most recently serving as shop foreman. Cook, 28, joined Petty Enterprises at the beginning of this season after spending three-and-a-half years with Cale Yarborough Racing.

Petty Enterprises fields the #43 STP Pontiac of Andretti and the #44 Hot Wheels Racing Pontiac of Petty on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, the #45 Sprint Chevrolet of driver Adam Petty on the NASCAR Busch Grand National circuit, and the #43 Dodge By Petty on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.