Petty to pull double duty with Indy-Charlotte races

CONCORD, N.C. -- The King will do the double.

NASCAR legend Richard Petty will watch the Indianapolis 500 in person for the first time, attending Sunday's race as a guest of former Petty Enterprises driver John Andretti, who qualified for the event.

Petty officials Robbie Loomis and Dale Inman will also make the trip. The group plans to fly out Sunday morning and return to Lowe's Motor Speedway in time for the start of the Coca-Cola 600.

Andretti, the last Petty Enterprises driver to win a race on the Nextel Cup level, will fill in for Kyle Petty in the No. 45 car for four races later this season while Petty works as a television analyst for TNT.

Andretti, who raced open-wheeled cars before moving to NASCAR, is returning to the Indy 500 for the first time in 12 years.

Although Petty has previously attended Month of May activities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this year will mark the first time he's seen the race.

Petty won 200 races and seven championships during his illustrious career behind the wheel.