McCumbee to fill in for Petty

Petty Enterprises announces development driver Chad McCumbee will substitute for Kyle Petty in the #45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge for Sunday’s 3M Performance 400 at the Michigan International Speedway. Petty is recovering from a broken right hand after last weeks race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.

McCumbee, 23, made his NASCAR Nextel Cup Series debut at the Pocono (Penn.) Raceway earlier this year in the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge. He finished 25th. He has also competed and won in ARCA Series competition and has tested extensively for Petty Enterprises this season. The organization is planning to run McCumbee in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2008.

“I am here to help in any way that I can," said McCumbee. “The priority is getting Kyle back in the car as soon as possible. The goal this weekend is to get a solid finish for this team. I have experience in the Craftsman Truck Series at the track. Billy (Wilburn, crew chief) and I have had great communication too. Hopefully we can have a good run on Sunday."

Petty completed a successful surgery on his hand on Tuesday in North Carolina. Petty is expected to return to the driver’s seat for next week’s Sharpie 500 at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

“I’ve got to thank Chad for everything he’s done for us," said Petty. “We’ve spent a lot of time with him and moving him along. It made a lot of sense for us to put him in the car this weekend. He did a great job at Pocono and we are expecting the same this weekend."