Inside the Halls of Petty: Introducing the new guy

Hey guys, this is Doug Randolph. I guess you can call me the new guy on the block here at Petty Enterprises. Beginning this weekend at Michigan I'll be the crew chief for the No. 43 Dodge and driver Bobby Labonte.

To work for a team like Petty Enterprises is something special, for sure. I mean, this team has 268 Nextel Cup wins. I want to make it 269 before the season ends. There is no reason why we can't make that a reality.

Inside Petty

Each week on NASCAR.COM, Robbie Loomis will take fans "Inside the Halls of Petty Enterprises." A championship-winning crew chief, Loomis has 26 victories atop the pit box and as Vice President of Operations oversees both Petty cars.

• Randolph named chief of 43

This is my 23rd season on the NASCAR circuit. My first job in motorsports was working for L.D. Ottinger's Busch Series team. Those were really my formative years in the sport. Much of what made me the crew chief that I am today, I learned from those years. During my career I have worked with veteran drivers. I have also been charged with developing young talent. I have worked with drivers from open-wheel backgrounds to stock-car backgrounds. This has made me a versatile crew chief. I would have to say that being able to seamlessly work with all types of drivers is something that I am very proud of.

Obviously going to work for any organization with generations of history and success is an ideal situation for any crew chief. I am looking forward to adding to the substantial history at Petty Enterprises. I have been around this sport for many years and I know what the Petty name means to not only me, but to the many race fans around the world.

When I began my stock-car career in 1984, The King was still racing and competing for wins. Like most of the other young wrenches, I looked up to him. To now be working for him is a surreal moment in my life.

I have worked with many great drivers and have been fortunate enough to enjoy success at each stop I have made in my career. However, I have never had the opportunity to crew chief a Nextel Cup champion. That was another drawing card when I looked at Petty Enterprises. Drivers like Bobby Labonte do not come around often. He is one of the most talented and well-respected men in the garage. I look forward to learning a lot from Bobby while also getting him and the No. 43 team back to the top.

Getting Bobby back inside the top 15 in driver points is something I am really striving for. We are 191 points away from that mark. There is no reason why we can't reach that.

My goals coming over to Petty Enterprises are simple. I want us to improve each week. If we can show steady improvement each week and develop consistency, then we can begin running in the top 10.

We don't need to try to reinvent the wheel here. This is a solid team with loads of potential. We have a great sponsor and a championship driver. My job will be to blend these pieces together into a team that can reassert itself back into the upper echelon of the Nextel Cup Series.

See you in Victory Lane,
Doug Randolph