~Miami Journal~

Hi Y'all! Well it has been a little more than a week since we wound up the season but that is not to say that there has been a lot of time to slow down. I spent most of last week in Atlanta with my dad for the final Winston Cup race of the season. You know I've got to start keeping my eyes on those Cup guys since I'll be racing against them some next season. So for those of you who may not know already I will be racing in five Winston Cup events next season with the first one being at Texas in April. I'm really looking forward to racing against my dad for the first time in Winston Cup. It will be a very special day for my family and me. That was a part of the announcement that we made in Miami before the Homestead race. We also announced that Sprint will be my primary sponsor for the next three years and along with that we unveiled the new paint scheme for the No. 45. I thought it was so awesome that y'all had the chance to be a part of that announcement by coming to my web site to see the new colors and pictures of the car. From what I understand there were more hits on the site in that one night than there are usually in one full week. As far as the race in Homestead goes, it was not the way we wanted to finish the season, being caught up in that wreck and all but now we are just focused on being prepared for the 2000 season. I'm glad to get my rookie year behind me and get that rookie stripe off of my rear bumper. This season really taught me a lot on the track with the level of competition and off the track with the commitments that come with being a driver in NASCAR. I'm excited about returning to the Busch Series next season with the team we have. We really showed that this team even in its first year could be very competitive and run up front. Next season in the Busch Series there will be a different group of drivers who will be running up front since Earnhardt, Jr., Kenseth and Blaney and some of those guys are making the jump to Cup and we definitely are going do everything we can to be one of the cars that runs consistently in the front every race. I definitely have a lot to look forward to in the 2000 season but also a lot of work to get there in the off-season. Hey y'all, I just want to say I'm sorry that the discussion page on my web site has been down the past week and a half. I know how much that section of my web site is used to keep us all connected. It has been hard not knowing what is going on with everybody. We will have the new and improved discussion page up and running by Thanksgiving Day. It will be great to hear what y'all have been up to since my season ended. I have to say I really enjoyed reading on the discussion page why y'all are thankful for the web site. It was really awesome to find out how many of y'all have met one another and become friends through the message board. Well since it is Thanksgiving and all I must say that I have a lot to be thankful for this year also. As always I am thankful for my family and friends and for their love and support. I am also grateful for the opportunity that God has given me to pursue a career in something that I enjoy so much. I know I say this at the end of almost all of my journals, but I definitely have to say it this week. I am so thankful for all of my fans and your support. This season I have been through many ups and downs on and off the track and y'all have always been there for me. Just remember my thoughts and prayers are with y'all during the holidays and the off-season. Don't think from everything I have said before that there will not be time for rest and relaxation because there will be. I'm looking forward to a lot of free time with my friends and family and as always the holidays are great especially in the Petty family. To let you know, I will continue to keep you updated on what is going on with me and my team as we prepare for Daytona. So keep checking the web site for my "off-season" journal entries. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving, Adam