The Buzz: No 2004 retirement for Petty

Contrary to a unconfirmed Internet report, Kyle Petty has no plans to retire in 2004, a source close to Petty Enterprises said.

	Kyle Petty

The report said that some time during the 2004 season, Petty would be replaced by Shane Hmiel in the No. 45 Dodge.

Hmiel is currently undergoing a NASCAR-mandated program to gain reinstatement to the sport after being suspended last year for an undisclosed substance violation.

Hmiel attempted to qualify in a Petty car last year in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona but was too slow to make the field.

The report that Hmiel would replace Petty, however, is "not true at all," a source said.

"(It) was never checked with anyone at Petty Enterprises and had the quotes taken out of context," the source said. "Richard (Petty) was asked, as he has been more than once over the past few years, of the day that would sometime come when there would not be a Petty driving at Petty Enterprises, and this was not in any way a reaction to this 'story.' But the quotes were placed to make it look as if it were."

Petty has been in NASCAR since 1979, competing in 678 races, making him ninth on that all-time list. He hasn't won since 1995, however, as Petty Enterprises has struggled in recent years.

Petty has taken on the role of car owner, running the two-car team out of the famed Level Cross, N.C. shops.

But retirement as a driver? A "baseless" claim, a source said.