3 drivers to share backmarker #45 car

Petty Enterprises, the winningest organization in NASCAR history, announces its driver lineup for the No. 45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge through the August 17th NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Michigan International Speedway. Chad McCumbee, Kyle Petty and Terry Labonte will each compete in one event over the next three weeks.

“Chad, Kyle and Terry will be competing at places where they have all had success in the past," said Petty Enterprises Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis. “That should put the No. 45 team in the best position possible to gain points on the teams in front of us in owner points. Everyone at Petty Enterprises is committed to doing whatever it takes to get this team back inside the top-35. That is one of our highest priorities as an organization."

McCumbee, 23, will attempt to make his first Sprint Cup start of the season this weekend at the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. He made his first career Sprint Cup start at Pocono in 2007, finishing 25th. McCumbee also picked up an ARCA RE/MAX Series victory at Pocono last year. He currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he is 12th in points.

Petty will return to the seat of the No. 45 Dodge for the August 10 event at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. This will be the first start for Petty since the Coca-Cola 600 in May. His hiatus included at six-race stint in the TNT Sports booth where he covered the Sprint Cup Series.

“We’re all excited to see Kyle back in the No. 45 Marathon Dodge at Watkins Glen," said Loomis. “He has been a great road course racer throughout his career. I know he is looking forward to it as well so we are going up there with a lot of confidence that we will have a solid run."

Labonte, who has competed in seven races in the No. 45 Dodge this season, will make his eighth start at the Michigan International Speedway on August 17th. He owns seven top-fives, 13 top-tens and two poles in his career at Michigan.