The Buzz: Petty might drop to two cars

The Buzz has learned that Petty Enterprises may be making a sponsor switch between the No. 44 and No. 45 Dodge teams.

Sprint has already announced they would not be returning to the No. 45 of Kyle Petty after this year. With current sponsor Georgia Pacific still signed on with Petty, the team may move the sponsor from the No. 44, currently being driven by Jerry Nadeau, to the No. 45 for the 2003 season.

With Christian Fittipaldi coming aboard next year in Busch and ARCA competition, Petty Enterprises may not put a driver in the No. 44 at all and utilize the shop space and resources for Fittipaldi.

An announcement is expected to be made in Richmond next week if a sponsor switch is going to be made

BH Motorsports may debut in 2002

The Buzz has learned that the newly formed BH Motorsports, which has allied with Rick Hendrick Motorsports, may be attempting at least three Winston Cup Series races this year. On Thursday, the team will make an announcement regarding a planned minority driver development program for next year, and says it already has a sponsor for this year and the 2003 season.

The driver for the three races this year is rumored to be Ron Hornaday, who currently drives the No. 26 Chevrolet in the Busch Series. The team may also field an ARCA team to develop a minority driver for future consideration in the Busch or Winston Cup Series. No word on who the crew chief may be for the team.

BHM reportedly has already leased a shop in the Mooresville (N.C.) Dragway Business Complex for three months. Sam Belnavis is listed as the team's chief operating officer and Tinsley Hughes as the chief executive officer. Both are African-Americans with ties to racing.

Belnavis was director of sports marketing in 1982 when Miller Brewing Co. first signed on as a primary car sponsor. Hughes was a co-owner of Mansion Motorsports with Thee Dixon, until it recently closed down after fielding a car for Carl Long in a few races.