Gillett Evernham renames team Richard Petty Motorsports

Gillett Evernham Motorsports officials announced Monday that the team will be officially renamed Richard Petty Motorsports, effective immediately.

GEM, which announced an agreement to merge with Petty Enterprises earlier this month, made the announcement during Monday's Sprint Media Tour presented by Lowe's Motor Speedway while unveiling a new logo for the newly named organization.

Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR Cup champion and the all-time Cup leader with 200 victories, says he will be working with sponsors and going to track with the team as he has in his previous roles with Petty Enterprises.

"I don't see me changing anything at all," he said.

The company will field three full-time Sprint Cup entries in 2009 with drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson. A fourth car will run on a part-time basis with AJ Allmendinger.