Richard Petty takes shot at Indianapolis

April 7, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Richard Petty racing experience is coming to a new venue next month — the Indianapolis 500.

And this is no ride-along, publicity stunt or gimmick.

The King of NASCAR plans to take his first crack at winning IndyCars’ crown jewel by putting one of his former drivers, John Andretti, in the cockpit of an open-wheel car co-owned with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

“I’m not here just to be having fun,” Petty said during Monday’s announcement. “I’m serious about this stuff. So we come here for a serious deal.”

To Cup fans, seeing Petty with an IndyCar will be a strange sight.

Petty won seven points titles in NASCAR and retired as the series’ all-time leader in victories (200) and poles (127). He won a record seven Daytona 500s and in 1967 won 27 races including 10 straight.

So why is he suddenly getting involved with IndyCars?

After merging his family owned Petty Enterprises with Gillett Evernham Motorsports this season, Richard Petty started looking for new opportunities. Indianapolis, which he always considered hallowed ground, was the top option.

In fact, if Andretti drives well May 24, it might be enough to delay Petty’s arrival at one of the Cup series biggest races — the Coca-Cola 600, which will be run the same day in Charlotte.

“If he [Andretti] is leading the race, I ain’t leaving, OK?” Petty said.

Petty’s new car will have an old look, though.

It features the familiar sleek red-and-light blue paint scheme, his old number, 43, and comes with all the usual trimmings except a roof, the stock-car frame and that famous STP logo.

“I don’t think there were any discussions on the paint scheme,” said Petty.”

The decision means three current NASCAR owners — Roger Penske, Chip Ganassi and Petty — will compete in Indy.

It also gives Petty a chance to reunite with A.J. Foyt, the four-time Indy winner and 1972 Daytona champion.