Petty left Indy race at half-distance

A reader asks, Dear AR1.com, What was up with Richard Petty sponsoring John Andretti at the Indy 500? He hardly did anything but show up to have his photo taken and shake a few hands. What does he know about IndyCar Racing? Deborah, Indianapolis

Dear Deborah, Richard left mid-race so that goes to show you how much his heart was in the Indy 500. John Andretti had some sponsorship money so Richard helped him out but it would seem that maybe he did it to get NASCAR's biggest name out in front of open wheel racing's biggest event. Nothing like some free PR for NASCAR. We don't expect him to do it again until next year's Indy 500. Mark C.