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September 29, 2008
Was Kansas Kyle Petty's Last Race for Petty Enterprises?
Although there's been no official announcement, Patti Petty is telling the media that yesterday's Cup race at Kansas was the last for her husband for Petty Enterprises. If that's true I think it's ridiculous, not that PE made the decision to take Kyle out of the car, but that they made no announcement about it. Maybe Kyle himself didn't want a fuss made or PE wanted to avoid a controversy or they felt that no one would care since Kyle hasn't raced competitively for quite sometime. But since it might not be easy for Kyle to find another Cup ride for next season, at least not a full-time ride, given how much he's done for the sport I think he deserved to be saluted by the fans and his peers in the garage area. At one time Kyle raced up front and won races, but he's also contributed to the sport in other ways. His charitable efforts with the Victory Junction Gang Camp are well known, and Kyle is also extremely fan-friendly. In addition, he's outspoken and a good ambassador for the sport. On top of all of that, the #45 has great personal meaning to Kyle, and he's also racing for the organization that bears his family name. I think more respect should be shown than to just try to shove Kyle out the door and under the rug as if he doesn't matter.
According to Patti, Kyle still wants to race Cup and Wells Fargo is willing to sponsor Kyle for twelve races next season at another organization. Given how hard it is for teams to find sponsors these days, there may be some interest from other teams. Although Patti mentioned Chip Ganassi Racing specifically I can't help but think of Michael Waltrip Racing since Cal Wells has talked about possibly fielding a fourth team on a part-time basis. Michael and Kyle are long-time friends and Michael lived with the Pettys when he was just starting out in racing so I can see Michael maybe wanting to help Kyle out now, not to mention more sponsorship money would be a good thing for MWR. All of that said, it may still be difficult for Kyle to find another Cup ride, even with a sponsor in his pocket, particularly a Cup ride, given how poor the results have been for him for so long. I hope this wasn't his last race though - Kyle has plenty to keep him involved in the sport even after he's retired from racing from the TV work he does to fund raising for the VJGC, but there's been a Petty on the track for so long, he will be missed when he does stop racing for good.
The question becomes, who takes over the #45 from Kyle? It's been thought for quite some time that Chad McCumbee was a sure thing for the #45, and he has made some starts in place of Kyle. However, there are rumors that PE is talking to other drivers including A.J. Allmendinger and Michael McDowell. I can't see Allmendinger going to PE if the #41 at Ganassi is an option for him. But I can see McD ending up in the #45. He's a young driver who is media savvy and has some talent behind the wheel so he's someone they may feel they can develop into a successful Cup driver. However, part of the problem for McD at MWR has been the top 35 situation for the #00, a lack of sponsorship, and that the cars he has to race aren't always that competitive. He would likely have similar challenges at PE which might not be such a great thing when it comes to his development as a driver. Still, it could be one of McD's only options if there's nothing for him at MWR next season.
When Boston Ventures bought into PE, some, including myself, thought that it would make a big difference in terms of making the organization back into a successful one. That may still happen. However, I don't have a good feeling based on the way they're treating Kyle and the relatively silence - that doesn't necessarily mean anything - regarding not only next season but what they have planned to try to improve long-term. Bobby Labonte still needs a sponsor for his car and if Wells Fargo leaves, they will likely need sponsorship for the #45 as well. No matter how well-funded Boston Ventures might be it's essential they have outside sponsorship because it would be close to impossible to field two Cup cars full-time next season almost entirely out of their own pocket and expect them to be competitive.
Posted by silverdsl at September 29, 2008 09:34 AM