Stewart to drive a truck for Petree at RIR

EAST FLAT ROCK, N.C. -- Tony Stewart will be the latest NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver to a Craftsman Truck Series vehicle when he drives team owner Andy Petree's No. 33 Chevrolet in September at Richmond International Raceway.

Tony Stewart •2002 Stats •Driver Page

"We really wanted to see what this truck could do, and having a driver like Tony behind the wheel is sure going to tell us a lot," Petree said.

Petree said the deal with Stewart is for the Richmond race only, and the truck is looking for a sponsor.

"I love driving -- It's a lot of fun," said Petreem who drive it at Martinsville and qualified third. "It can help with what we do with our Winston Cup cars. With the input we get from Tony, we feel we can go out and win the Truck Series race at Richmond."

Petree's Andy Petree Racing team is in a state of flux right now. After starting the season with two teams, Petree was forced to shut down his No. 33 car, which Mike Wallace has driven in a limited number of races this season, due to lack of sponsorship.

Last weekend at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Petree's full-time driver, Bobby Hamilton, confirmed he would not return to the No. 55 Square D Chevrolet next season.

Petree and Stewart spent time talking a year ago during an ARCA race in DuQuoin, Ill. Both were racing in that event, which saw Petree among the top qualifiers in his series debut as a driver. They began spending more time together on the Winston Cup Series.

"A guy like Tony Stewart says he wants to drive your truck, how can you tell him no?" Petree said. "He wanted to drive the truck and, man, I wanted him to drive it. So we talked and figured we'd go ahead and do it (and) have a lot of fun.

"I think it shows something good about what we have built at Andy Petree Racing, too. Guys like Tony Stewart don't ask to drive your stuff unless they think it's pretty good.

"Seriously, I feel we have a great truck and Tony has certainly proven he knows how to get around Richmond. I think we have a great shot at winning the race. We're really excited with the possibilities."