Andy Petree - Car Owner

Car Owner

Petree took over the #33 Skoal Bandit Chevy as owner for the full 1997 season. That year, driver Ken Schrader drove the car to 2 top-5s and 8 top-10s in route to 10th place in the NASCAR Winston Cup final standings. Schrader also won 2 poles in the season. It marked a strong comeback for the #33 team, which had struggled severely in 1996, as Robert Pressley only earned one top-10. 1997 was also the year his daughter, Jonnie was born.

In 1998, Schrader received 3 top-5s and 11 top-10s. However, he fell two positions down the points ladder to 12th. Despite not receiving a visit to the New York awards ceremony, Petree was ambitious. At Daytona in October, Petree fielded a second car, the #55 Oakwood Homes Chevy, driven by Hut Stricklin. At the end of 1998, it was announced that Kenny Wallace would join APR (Andy Petree Racing) in the #55 Square D Chevy for 1999.

1999 was a learning year for APR. The struggles of adding a second car may have shown. Schrader struggled with only 6 top-10s, in route to a 15th place in points. Wallace was more flashy but also inconsistent. He earned his career best finish of 2nd at New Hampshire International Speedway, and had 4 other top-10s, but Kenny would finish 22nd in points.

Schrader's 1999 season compelled him to leave APR. However, Petree was quick in signing Joe Nemechek and sponsor Oakwood Homes, after Skoal announced it would not be on the #33 for the first time in 21 years. The 2000 season was complete opposite for Petree's drivers. Nemechek was solid as he won 1 pole, and secured 3 top-5s and 9 top-10s. That enabled him to finish 15th in points. Kenny, on the other hand had one top-5: 2nd at Talladega Superspeedway. It was a memorable one though. Wallace stayed behind Dale Earnhardt in a two-lap dash and his help allowed Earnhardt to win his 76th and final NASCAR race. Wallace admitted later that he would have pulled out had he realized that Nemechek was behind him (Nemechek would finish 3rd). Nemechek had been running a Charlie Daniels paint scheme and Wallace did not recognize it. Despite getting as close as anyone to Petree's first victory, Wallace left for Eel River Racing.

Still searching for victory in 2001, Petree kept Nemechek in the #33 and hired Bobby Hamilton to drive the #55. A 3rd team with Geoff Bodine driving made one start in 2000, but the deal fell through. It would turn out to be Petree's best season yet. The 9th race of the year, at Talladega Superspeedway, featured an amazing battle. After multiple lead changes, Hamilton took the lead as he took the white flag and held off Tony Stewart to win Petree's first career race. Hamilton would earn 6 more top-10s and 18th in the final 2001 rundown. For Nemechek, the season was mixed. While practicing at Dover Downs, Nemechek slammed the wall, and injured his leg. Luckily, Hamilton's son, Bobby Hamilton Jr. was more than willing to join his father. Hamilton Jr. ran 3 races, Wally Dallenbach Jr. ran at Pocono, and Scott Pruett took over at Sears Point. (now Infineon) When Nemechek came back, his season was not the best and before October was over he announced his plans to leave. But Nemechek had one more trick up the sleeve. Nemechek pulled a dominating victory at North Carolina Speedway, giving APR its 2nd win from its 2nd team. However, with Nemechek gone and Oakwood leaving the #33 began to fold.

For 2002, Petree still wished to run the #33 along with Hamilton. Mike Wallace would drive the car for 4 races. However, with a best finish of 21st (Daytona 500) and its most memorable moment being at Talladega, (starting the big wreck) the #33 team's glory days were over. It would be up to Hamilton and the #55 team. However, just as the #33 quit for good, Hamilton was injured. Greg Biffle and Ron Hornaday took over. Hamilton came back and promptly announced he was leaving to his truck team.

Andy Petree was backed in a corner. By February 2003, his Cup team was done. With no sponsor to be found, Christian Fittipaldi's run in the #33 Monaco Chevy in the Daytona 500 looked to be APR's last swan song.

However, Petree wasn't quite done. His longtime friend, John Menard convinced him to look at John's son, Paul Menard. Andy was quite impressed by Paul. He signed him to a contract quickly. Paul made his debut in the #55 Menards Chevy at Nashville Superspeedway, Andy's first career Busch race as an owner. It was a productive race, as Paul finished 12th. After finishing 14th at the next race at Kentucky Speedway, Andy allowed Paul to make his Cup debut at Watkins Glen International (after Paul had DNQd at Infineon). That race at the Glen would be Petree's last Cup race. The next week, Paul grabbed his first top-10 at IRP. Andy, who had made some Craftsman Truck Series starts, decided to put Paul in some Truck races. Menard drove the #33 Menards truck in 5 races and finished with one top-10, an 8th place at Kansas.

Petree signed Menard to a full Busch Series schedule for 2004, hoping to get Menard ready for a return to NEXTEL Cup in 2006. However, Menard had other plans. Halfway through the year, Menard signed with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., leaving Petree without at driver and a sponsor. His last Busch race would be at Chicago, where driver Clint Bowyer finished.

Petree's race team was dead in the water. After Michael Waltrip finished last at a Craftsman Truck race at IRP, Petree sold his equipment and his shop to Kevin Harvick (which started Kevin Harvick, Inc.. He went to work for Michael Waltrip, as a consultant for Waltrip's Busch team.