Inside the Halls of Petty: McCumbee climbs into 45

Hey Petty fans, this is Chad McCumbee. I'll be stepping into the No. 45 Goody's Cool Orange Dodge this weekend as Kyle goes into the TNT broadcast booth.

I don't have to tell you that this is the biggest weekend of my racing life. I have been working toward this day since I first strapped myself behind the wheel of a go-kart at the age of 10. It is an honor to be picked to drive for Petty Enterprises and I am still wondering if this is all a dream. This team is definitely on the right track and they will be frontrunners again very soon. I just hope I can help get them there.

Every young kid that's racing a go-kart or late model right now all hope to make it to the Nextel Cup level, but very few get the opportunity. I have raced with many guys that have the talent to get into the higher series of NASCAR. I just really feel blessed to have this chance.

On top of that I get to jump in the car for Kyle Petty. I mean, he is a legendary figure in this sport. He is someone that I have looked up to for a long time, not only for what he accomplished on the track, but also for the way he helps so many people away from the track. If I can have anywhere close to the same career as Kyle I will be able to leave this sport a happy man.

Billy Wilburn and everyone on the No. 45 team have been great to work with. They are making a young kid like me feel as though I have been a part of the team for a long time. That is the way it is at Petty Enterprises. It is like a huge family no matter if you have been there all your life or if you are lucky enough to get to drive for them for one race.

Speaking of Billy, I truly believe he is one of the top crew chiefs in the garage. I look forward to learning all that I can from him. He just has that ability to stay calm and focused no matter what is going on around him. More times than not he will make the right call. He led David Gilliland to an upset victory last year at Kentucky. Who knows, maybe we can do the same thing this weekend.

Although this is my first Nextel Cup race, I have some experience at Pocono Raceway. In my last three starts there in ARCA Re/Max competition I have finished fourth, second and third. We're going to run the ARCA race on Saturday again this year. That should help me get focused so we can really get down to business on Sunday.

Pocono has definitely been kind to Nextel Cup rookies over the last couple of years. I don't think one more rookie winner would hurt anything.

See you in Victory Lane,
Chad McCumbee