|
Kyle Petty started all 36 races -- compared to just 24 in 2001 -- and John Andretti improved three spots in the standings to 28th.
While Petty and Andretti remained in their respective seats all year, the No. 44 Dodge served as carousel of several drivers and the Petty Enterprises stable made several crew chief changes throughout the year.
 |
|
 |
|
| John Andretti qualified in the top 10 just three times in 2002. Credit: Autostock |
|
Buckshot Jones made it through seven races in the team's third car before longtime employee Steve Grissom took over. When Jerry Nadeau parted ways with the No. 25 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports, he took over the ride.
He almost won at Sears Point before rear end problems cut his day short two laps from victory. He remained in the car until he was injured in a go-karting accident in October, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season. Greg Biffle and Christian Fittapaldi drove the No. 44 for the remainder of the year.
Petty scores best points finish since 1997
Petty's No. 45 Dodge was the most consistent car on the team -- he finished 22nd in the standings, his best finish in five seasons.
Through the first 17 races of this year, Petty had 12 top-20 finishes. He also completed 97.4 percent of his laps and registered only one DNF.
 | Year in Review | | | | | | |
|
|
Andretti registered 12 top-20 efforts and completed 91 percent of the laps. His best qualifying effort was the outside pole at Phoenix International Raceway.
It is still unclear whether Andretti will return to the team for a sixth season with Petty Enterprises. He reportedly has a contract in hand to drive the No. 43 Dodge again, but the 39-year-old has not signed yet.
Petty Enterprises is bringing longtime CART driver Christian Fittapaldi into the fold next year as the team prepares him for a possible full schedule in 2004.
|
;)
