Parrott named crew chief for Petty's No. 43 Dodge

LEVEL CROSS, N.C. -- Cup series champion crew chief Todd Parrott has been named crew chief for Petty Enterprises' No. 43 Dodge team and driver Bobby Labonte, it was announced Tuesday.

Robbie Loomis, executive vice president of operations for Petty Enterprises, made the announcement.

Todd Parrott Credit: Autostock

"While few can match him in knowledge and strategy, no one can match Todd Parrott when it comes to the desire to win," Loomis said. "Working together with Paul Andrews (crew chief for Kyle Petty's No. 45 Dodge) and the talent we have here, we feel we have the ingredients to return Petty Enterprises to Victory Lane."

Labonte is a Cup championship driver. Petty Enterprises has 10 championships going into the 2006 season.

Greg Steadman, who had been serving as crew chief for the No. 43, has been named competition director for Petty Enterprises and is involved with both race teams.

"I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of Petty Enterprises," Parrott said. "I've been a fan of Richard Petty since I could talk, and one of the most exciting times of my life is when my dad (Buddy Parrott) was crew chief for Richard.

ALSO Bobby Labonte will drive the No. 43 Dodge for Petty Enterprises beginning in 2006, the team announced at Phoenix International Raceway.  •   Complete story,  click here

"When I see the people who are coming into the organization and how hard everyone is working to get Petty Enterprises back to the top, I can't help but be excited to be a part of that," Parrott continued. "Robbie Loomis, Bobby Labonte ... these guys are coming here for one reason, and that's to win."

Parrott, 41, is a native of Charlotte, N.C. Parrott, winner of the 1999 Cup championship with driver Dale Jarrett, begins his 12th year as a leader of NASCAR race teams in 2006.

He grew up in the sport and began working on race cars when just 14 years old, developing into one of the top mechanical and strategy-minded names in motorsports.