Bold Prediction for Loomis at Petty Ent.

Sprint · 01-25-2008, 03:14 PM

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Petty Enterprises left its longtime home in Level Cross, N.C., in an effort to return to the form that saw it dominate the sport with Richard Petty behind the wheel. The goal is to win, and Robbie Loomis said Wednesday that will happen within the year's first eight races.

Loomis believes the combination of driver Bobby Labonte and new crew chief Jeff Meendering will hit the ground running. He feels the team has the handle on the "new car" that teams will run full time this year and that it won't take half a season for things to come together.

"We're trying to get the team more organized to where Jeff can spend more time with Bobby and understand his wants and needs so we can get [those setups] in the car quicker," Loomis said. "Then lay a better foundation under Jeff so we're getting those things in the car.

"I'll be honest with you, I feel we'll win in the first eight races. Everybody knows Atlanta's in those races [where Labonte has six wins]. We did the tire test down there and with the Car of Tomorrow that racetrack is going to provide a different race anyway."

Before hearing about Loomis' prediction, Labonte was already busy singing the praises of Meendering, who was Jeff Gordon's car chief at Hendrick Motorsports last year. Asked if the team's ready to win, he replied "Yes," without hesitating.

"I do believe with a lot of the things that we have -- we don't have the resources that a Gibbs, or Hendrick or Roush has -- but at the same time, last year we didn't run as good, but we had more consistency. This year, I think we're going to have a lot better races, so I do feel like we have a commitment -- to be able to do that.

"We just have to implement it all together, and I think Jeff's going to be a great asset for us. We just have to prove it on the racetrack. In my heart, I do feel like he's the guy to help take us to the next level."

Loomis' prediction that it would take just eight races surprised Labonte.

"That's good, I'm glad," he said. "Then I won't have to worry about it later [in the season]."