Kyle Petty 'crushed' over paint scheme designed to honor his first race

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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Richard Petty (right) and AJ Allmendinger unveil the "retro" paint scheme on the No. 44 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge. Richard's son Kyle said he wasn't consulted about the paint scheme that was designed to match his car from his first victory in ARCA at age 18.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The paint scheme on Kyle Petty's car in his Automobile Racing Club of America victory 30 years ago at Daytona International Speedway is being replicated on the Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 44 Sprint Cup car being driven by AJ Allmendinger in the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
 
And Petty didn’t know a thing about it.
 
Kyle Petty has no involvement in the new team co-owned by his father, Richard, Boston Ventures and Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
 
“I was crushed,” Petty told reporters Saturday. “I was hurt and I'm not gonna get over it for a while. And that's a personal thing. That's me. That's not got anything to do with anything else.
 
“That was my paint job and my car and my number and my stuff from my first win.”
 
Petty doesn’t plan to watch the Daytona 500. It will be the first without a Petty since 1965, and Kyle Petty can’t stomach not racing in it.
 
“I'm headed to North Carolina,” Petty said. “And I won't watch it on TV.”

Comments

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  1. 1
    MARTIN said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 6:48 PM

    I like Kyle, I do not like Richard.

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  2. 2
    Kenneth Thompson said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    Sorry to hear that Kyle, you are a great racer and commentator. I dont like Richard, I respect the racer not the man. Why would you hurt your son like that. May god bless you and your family

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  3. 3
    hark said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 8:51 PM

    Richard needs to slither away, sorry Kyle, unless you have big bucks, it's truly over.

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  4. 4
    Robert Marley said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 9:26 PM

    What? Richard and his father built that company not Kyle. Kyle rode their coat tails longer than any kid deserves. He should be grateful. He sounds like a spoiled brat. Man up whuss boy.

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  5. 5
    bonnie lewis said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 9:47 PM

    I always felt that Kyle was very sensitive. Nothing wrong with that. It is as good as being tough. This world needs both.

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  6. 6
    Bill said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Kyle didn't ride their coat tails. He drove for The Wood Brothers, Sabco and pe2 and was a VERY GOOD. Came home and drove JUNK! He wasn't the BOSS RICHARD was. KYLE I will always be a BIG FAN and have TON of RESPECT for.

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  7. 7
    tracy rogers said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 10:03 PM

    YOU BIG CRYBABY!!!!!!! GO HOME YOU UNGREATFUL SISSY!!!!

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  8. 8
    Graceann Jackson said:
    Feb 14, 2009 at 10:57 PM

    I don't think Richard meant it as anything other than a tribute to his son. It's not our place to judge either one of them over it is between the father & son. This story should have never been written it is trash.

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  9. 9
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 12:44 AM

    This is a typical Pockrass article. He should be working for one of those hollywood rags. This is disgusting. Whether it's true or not. It doesn't need to be out there before the 500. Trash, trash, trash!!!!!

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  10. 10
    David Marks said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 12:57 AM

    There definitely seems to be something going on that we don't know about. Maybe that is how it should be if there is something between Kyle and Richard.

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  11. 11
    said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    I just lost a lot of respect for Kyle, what's the big deal?

    He was thrilled when they used Adam's paint scheme last year, what's the difference here?

    Get over it.

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  12. 12
    Callaway said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    Kind of sounds like they let Richard walk around and be the King in name alone. GEM without Evernham was just another guy with gobs of cash who owned a race team with no creds in the sport and just like a lot of monied people he simply bought instant creds by keeping the Petty name on the front door. The trouble is Petty Enterprises should have left Level Cross sooner when the great team migrations started and the mergers with real race teams occurred and not corporate raiders maybe there would still be a Petty in the show. Too bad Kyle although not really competitive for years brought something different to the dance. He realized a dream after Adams passing and set out and built it, Victory Junction and in the whole scheme of things helping real sick kids have a happier life is more important than racing anytime.

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  13. 13
    Andrew Briscoe said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    Kyle sounded bitter in a recent Yahoo sports article about not being involved in the new company. Now he's "crushed" that his dad wanted to honor him by having a special paint scheme. Grow up Kyle. You haven't been anything but a field filler for a decade, and now that's caught up to you when your dad had to make a decision. Had PE not merged with GEM you still wouldn't be running- PE execs had already said that. You should be a little more grateful that you dad wanted to honor you with a special paint scheme.

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  14. 14
    Jeffrie Mitchell said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 3:26 PM

    The way kyle comments about the situation is pretty bad. He sounds like a spoiled kid that isn't getting his way. He isn't racing anymore which in my opinion, he should have retired a long time ago. I feel at least with AJ they have a chance to win a race again. When kyle raced, it made you wonder if he was there just for a paycheck.

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  15. 15
    Millporter said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    This article should never have been published. I personally think the nostalgic paint scheme Richard Petty chose is paying tribute to his son, Kyle. There is racing history for the Petty's. Please dont forget about Patty and all of her support through the years. Richard and Kyle will work it out in privacy, as it should be. Freedom is ours. In God We Trust

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  16. 16
    Sharon Shaw said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 5:03 PM

    I understand Kyle's point of view AND Richard's as well. It should have been a joint decision not a one sided one. Anyway, the Petty's are an awesome family and I'm sure they will work this out. I will truly miss Kyle on the track. He was one of my genuine favorites. Hang in there Kyle...

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  17. 17
    Gregory Pinkerton said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 7:13 PM

    Richard should have thought twice before involving his son in something his son didn't want to be involved in. My dad has done that to me in the past and it makes me embarrassed and angry.

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  18. 18
    Keith Johnson said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 7:47 PM

    They were Petty cars not Kyle's cars. He needs to get over it. If Kyle was winning or running good he would not have lost his ride.

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  19. 19
    SUSAN NUCCIO said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Kyle should have been in the #44 with "HIS" paint job. What happened to family Richard??

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  20. 20
    Kirk Grosch said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    Petty Enterprises hasn't been competitive for years and I was truly sorry the day that Bobby Labonte joined them. For the past 5 years or more, Kyle has done nothing but just ride around. Kyle was never the same after the Daytona crash that broke his leg. In case Kyle hasn't noticed, there are a large number of folks out of jobs/careers that are far less to blame for their job loss than Kyle. Perhaps his departure isn't like he would have wanted it but as long as he shakes his current bitterness, he should have a decent future in broadcasting and a paycheck which is much better than the future of many of those laid off at the Petty race shops. Of course if Kyle is to angry to do motorsports, he's certainly free to pull out his old geetar and crank up his kuntry music sangin' career again.

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  21. 21
    Tim the Fan said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    This is a family issue, and Pockgrass had no business writting it. He probably writes articles about little old ladies losing their houses in his off time. Kyle was at one time a pretty good racer, but always a great immisary of the sport. And his tribute to his own son and the Victory Junction Camp outways anything his Dad ever done on the track.

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  22. 22
    Raymond McKnight said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 8:25 PM

    Kyle, when they start calling you the "King" for your accomplishments on the track, then you may have a right to feel crushed. Until then grow up!

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  23. 23
    Alice Kessler said:
    Feb 15, 2009 at 10:34 PM

    I agree with #9 and #21 about Bob Pockrass. I have never liked his articles. I feel really bad for Kyle...he is a very classy guy and I love listening to him on Speed because he is very knowledgeable. I hope he works out his disagreement with Richard.

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  24. 24
    Scott Baker said:
    Feb 16, 2009 at 9:29 AM

    I'm a little surprised at Kyle's reaction. I doubt if Richard did it for any other reason other than as a tribute to his son. I guess maybe Kyle is pretty upset about his standing in the company, or maybe I should say lack of. As far as Kyle driving, I would think that he pretty much knew his driving career was over. Super man, but not a real good driver anymore. I'm sure he and Richard will take care of this themselves. Probably none of our business.

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  25. 25
    Randy Quesenberry said:
    Feb 16, 2009 at 9:46 AM

    I will reserve my comments on Richard and Kyle other than family is sometimes the most difficult of all situations.

    I know Kyle and will tell you he is a class act and did not have class equipment. No matter who they put in the cars they did about the same. He was really good on road courses which requires real driving skill.

    As for Richard, who has always been my hero, he needs to remember back at his last days driving and remember how long it was since his last win.

    As he told me once it is a honor to work for him and he did not need to pay the big bucks as other teams paid. Maybe that has something to do with his lack of success in the later years.

    I understand how Kyle feels and whether you agree or not, it is his feelings and memories that are affected and not those of bloggers.

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  26. 26
    roger roussel said:
    Feb 16, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    well i am a fan of gillettes team. but i agree with kyle those were his and his only memories.i feel for kyle and just wonder what could go throught his head.we cannot go without thinking that he has his son ,adam to think if if if if well that is life and i feel for kyle

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  27. 27
    Gladys Bedwell said:
    Feb 16, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    Well said #8. I thought it was a tribute to Kyle also. Maybe they need to communicate a little more, but again, this is something between father and son, not for the public to hear.

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  28. 28
    Sarah Oxfurth said:
    Feb 16, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Um...Wha? A car is painted to honor YOU and you ... complain?? Wha?? Kyle is no fan of the sport if his sulking means he won't even watch the 500. I'm sorry, but I think Kyle has never been that great of a driver, and it just went downhill after Adam's death (and I certainly don't fault him for that, mind you), but I cannot imagine why anyone would be UPSET at being HONORED.

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  29. 29
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Feb 16, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    Gillett canned Kyle??????

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  30. 30
    Sarah Oxfurth said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    I dunno Bernadette-I know Kyle was saying LAST YEAR that he didn't think he'd be driving anymore. I don't know if anybody canned him.

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  31. 31
    Janice Marler said:
    Feb 19, 2009 at 9:26 PM

    This was in interviews also, so it's not like Pockrass blabbed a big secret. I read or heard Richard say that he was sorry that he'd been so busy that he hadn't discussed it with Kyle. Richard heard how upset Kyle was from Kyle's mom. Sounds like Kyle may have been more upset about not knowing about it than anything else. Although, he's made it clear that he's not happy that he had no say in how he's not racing. Hang in their Kyle.

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  32. 32
    Gary6753 said:
    Jun 20, 2009 at 10:16 PM

    kyle just hang in there.I have been your biggest fan ever since you started racing.Something good always comes out of something bad
    Thanks for everything
    Gary watkins

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Gatorade Duel 1

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