Petty Enterprises officials announced Friday that they have hired Derrick Finley as the team’s technical director to oversee the two-car Sprint Cup team’s car of tomorrow program as NASCAR utilizes the new car in all 36 races in 2008.

Finley has served as crew chief and in engineering roles for several Cup teams in his career. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Mexico.

“We have been really busy this off-season with our move to Mooresville and our preparation of the car of tomorrow for the entire 2008 Sprint Cup season,” Executive Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis said.

“Derrick brings a lot of experience to Petty Enterprises that will be tremendously valuable as the season draws near. He is an excellent engineer and he has been a successful crew chief. That is exactly the type of person we were looking for to supplement [crew chiefs] Jeff [Meendering] and Billy [Wilburn]. We see Derrick as another key hire that will bolster an already strong foundation that we have here at Petty Enterprises.”

“Petty Enterprises is the gold standard of stock car racing,” Finley said. “Their legacy of success is unequaled. From top to bottom they have shown a commitment to return to the top of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and I am honored to be part of that process. In crew chiefs Jeff Meendering and Billy Wilburn, we have two of the brightest minds in the garage area. Both Bobby and Kyle had several strong runs last year. Everything is in place to build on those finishes and have an even better year in 2008.”