Petty & Andretti team up for Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) - Richard Petty will make his first foray into IndyCars by putting John Andretti into the cockpit for next month's Indianapolis 500.

Petty made the announcement Monday at a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR fans who cheered him as a driver and team owner will find a familiar look. The car will carry the red-and-light blue paint scheme and Petty's old number, 43.

“It is great to drive the 43 car again for Richard,” Andretti said. “We have had success before in the stock cars, and we hope to have another strong run in the Indy 500. This year will mark my 10th Indy 500, and, with support of Window World and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, I am really excited about being a part of Richard’s first entry into open-wheel racing.”

"We talked about this for about three years," Petty said. "The pressure is going to be on John, not me."

Petty has long been known in the NASCAR world simply as The King. But he has never before tried to win the crown jewel of the IndyCar series.

Andretti has made nine starts in the Indy Racing League's signature race. His best finish at Indianapolis was fifth in 1991. He also drove for Petty on the Cup circuit from 1998 through the middle of 2003.