
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995                   TAG: 9508220073
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

EARNHARDT'S CREW CHIEF LEAVING TEAM

Crew chief Andy Petree will leave the Richard Childress Racing team of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt at the end of this season to focus on becoming a NASCAR team owner.

Petree said Monday he will rejoin a team owned by Leo Jackson in 1996 as crew chief and over a period of years gradually assume ownership of the operation.

Jackson's Arden-based team fields Chevrolets for Robert Pressley, a former Grand National star in his Winston Cup rookie season.

Jackson said late Monday that Charlie Pressley, the driver's brother, will remain as crew chief for the rest of this season.

Petree worked for Jackson for 10 years, 1983-92, including stints as crew chief for Phil Parsons (1987-88) and Harry Gant (1989-92).

He moved to the Childress team in 1993 and has overseen preparation of the Chevys that Earnhardt drove to Winston Cup titles the past two seasons.

Cars under Petree's command have won 23 races, including 13 with Earnhardt, nine with Gant and one with Parsons.

``It has been a goal of mine to have my own team,'' said Petree, who started in motorsports two decades ago by helping boyhood buddy Dale Jarrett build his first race car. ``It wasn't an easy decision for me to make. But an opportunity like this one doesn't come along often and it's something I couldn't pass up.''

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB