Kyle Petty to be TNT analyst, starting in '07

Turner Network Television (TNT) announced Wednesday a multi-year contract agreement with Nextel Cup Series driver Kyle Petty to serve as an analyst for the network's Nextel Cup Series race coverage.

Petty will take a five-week hiatus as driver of the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge, marking the first time a Petty will not be behind the wheel in the Nextel Cup Series for an extended period of time since his grandfather, Lee Petty, raced in NASCAR's Elite Series in 1949. Kyle Petty will join announcers Bill Weber (play-by-play) and Wally Dallenbach (analyst) for TNT's six consecutive Nextel Cup Series races in 2007, beginning on Sunday, June 10 from Pocono Raceway and concluding on July 15 from Chicagoland Speedway.

On Sunday, June 24, Petty will provide analysis from behind the wheel of his No. 45 Dodge throughout TNT's coverage of the Nextel Cup Series race live from Infineon Speedway in Sonoma, Calif. Petty previously served as an analyst alongside Weber and Dallenbach in 2006 for five Busch Series races on TNT.

"This is great opportunity to join the TNT team," Petty said. "We've worked very closely with our partners Wells Fargo, Marathon and Tire Kingdom to make sure that the No. 45 Dodge is secure on the track while at the same time I can move into this new role. I started working with Turner last season and it was a great relationship from the beginning. I had a great time with Wally and Bill in the booth and it has led to this opportunity. Everyone at TNT has been great to work with, and I'm looking forward to something new in my career."

"We welcome Kyle to the Turner Sports family and look forward to continuing the long and positive relationship we have had with the Petty family during Turner's 23 years of broadcasting NASCAR racing," said David Levy, president of Turner Sports. "Kyle is a class act both on and off the track, and we are happy to be associated with him."

"Kyle is known throughout NASCAR for his outspoken personality and will bring TNT's coverage a unique 'straight from the car' perspective for our six Nextel Cup Series races this year," said Jeff Behnke, Turner Sports executive producer. "Pairing Kyle with Bill and Wally will provide fans with both an informative and entertaining booth."

Hailing from a long line of NASCAR racers, including grandfather, Lee Petty, and father and seven-time NASCAR champion, Richard Petty, Kyle has remained a prominent figure on the NASCAR racing scene for the past 27 years with eight victories, 51 top-five finishes and 172 top-10 finishes. In recent years, his off-the-track activities have included serving as guest host of Turner Classic Movies and host of NASCAR Night at Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves.

Petty has received numerous accolades for his charitable contributions, including the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which he founded in 1999 in honor of his late son and former NASCAR driver, Adam Petty. Kyle was named "Most Caring Athlete" by USA Weekend in 2004 and "Person of the Year" by NASCAR Illustrated in 2000 and 1999.