MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Kyle Petty will step out of the Petty Enterprises No. 45 Dodge this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway in favor of Chad McCumbee.
“Chad McCumbee is going to step into the No. 45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge this weekend at Texas," said Petty. "Texas is a good track for him. He had a strong run going in the truck race there last year. At Pocono, he did a great job filling in for me when I went into the booth.  Everyone at Petty Enterprises believes in Chad and his abilities. Texas gives us a chance to get another good look at Chad without throwing him to the wolves.  He should be relaxed because he knows he can get the job done there.”
McCumbee has been under contract with Petty Enterprises for several years and stepped into the No. 45 when Petty took a short break to work as a color analyst for TNT's NASCAR broadcasts.
But this appears to be a move designed to assess the team's future. Petty has fallen out of the top-35 in owner's points and failed to qualify this past weekend at Martinsville.
McCumbee, who is racing fulltime in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, said he is ready for the opportunity.
“I’m anxious to do my part to help this team," he said. "We’re planning on going to Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday for a test.  Just to help me get used to the new car.  The two races last year were in the old car, so there will be a little bit of an adjustment period there.  I don’t have a lot of experience in the old car either, so maybe that will be a positive.”