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Petty says he's OK with current team plan
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Streeter Lecka
Getty Images
LONG POND, Pa. – Kyle Petty said that his not racing the last two weeks is different than his situation earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway when he was pulled from the Petty Enterprises No. 45 car.
With the team currently 273 points outside of the top 35, Petty said it only makes sense to use the rest of the season to evaluate drivers. Petty, speaking following a taping of “Tradin’ Paint” at Pocono Raceway, was originally scheduled to drive at Indianapolis last week and then Pocono. He had missed the previous seven races because of his daughter’s wedding and then to do commentary during TNT telecasts.
Petty said no one should read into this as new majority owner Boston Ventures trying to push him out.
“We’re so far back in points, it really is going to give us an opportunity to evaluate a lot of things,” Petty said. “[Texas] was a different deal.
“We’re all on the same page on this and everything is going according [to the plan]. … I was mad at Texas, and you know I’m not going to hide it if I’m mad about it. We don’t have a shot of getting back in the top 35, and so when you get to that position, then you can try a lot of different stuff.”
He said he will race at Watkins Glen next week before Terry Labonte, who drove during most of his absence, returns at Michigan. Petty likely will run the seven races from Bristol through Talladega.
Chad McCumbee, who qualified the No. 45 for the Pocono race, will run at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in October and likely will drive in the majority of the final five races after that, Petty said.
McCumbee had failed to make races earlier this year at Texas and Dover.
“It gives you an opportunity for Chad to run some places like here, Charlotte, and get some experience so we can really evaluate him,” Petty said. “We’ve really not had an opportunity to really look at Chad. We’ve not given him a fair shot.”
And what about next year? Petty said he is still doing his six races in the broadcast booth for TNT. He said he was open to running a limited schedule, ranging from 10 to 30 races. Marathon and Wells Fargo should return as sponsors, Petty said.
Petty said he is agreeable to running a third part-time car for the team if it wants to have two other full-time drivers.
“I’ve got no problem running the third car if you can put the right program together,” Petty said. “The question is ‘Can you put the right program together?’ We’ve struggled with two cars, so to go to three or two-and-a-half is a stretch. Sponsor dollars are hard to come by right now because there are a lot of people looking.”
If there is a third team, Petty said he would still drive the No. 45. He drives the No. 45 as a tribute to his son, Adam, who was killed in a crash during Busch Series practice in 2000 at New Hampshire.
Mentioned Drivers:
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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Comments
7 responses to "Petty says he's OK with current team plan". Post a Comment.
Steve C said:
Aug 1, 2008 at 7:51 PMKyle is a GREAT person, I meet him the first time when NASCAR ran Laguna Seca in the late 70's. He was a know it all, know nothing youngster who has grown into one of the most giving / caring people I know. Kyle is becoming ateam player and honestly want PE to excel in their Cup programs. I think you will see Kyle driving less and less in the future. Kyle has a full plate every day to keep him busy. I wish him and PE all the best in the future. I hope PE returns to their Glory days soon.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrandy hayes said:
Aug 1, 2008 at 11:50 PMkyle doesn't have a choice.he's a marginal driver who keeps his job because of his name.go to the broadcast booth NOW bud
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBill said:
Aug 2, 2008 at 8:34 PMKyle,like any driver, needs the right equipment in a race car to be a contender every race.Petty ent. is getting stronger than it was in February. The team will be stronger next year. You can already see it in Bobby Labonte in qualifying.I met Kyle in New Hamp. at the Naswa Res. at dinner. He is a great person,and I hope that Petty Ent. will be strong again.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAndy Gray said:
Aug 2, 2008 at 10:20 PMwell said bill
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim the Fan said:
Aug 3, 2008 at 8:02 AMI admire Kyle as a person, and for everything he has done in his life. Victory Junction was a monumental task. But like so many before him he is holding on to a career that has passed him by. I honestly believe his new future should be in the broadcast booth. Out of the current group of ex drivers turned announcer's, Kyle has them all beat.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPatricia McKean said:
Aug 4, 2008 at 6:17 PMKyle is a Class Act and is just doing what he feels needs to be done. Putting Terry into a car and taking advantage of his provisionals was very smart of PE. I'm glad to see that no one is being rude as I will always respect him and Patti for what they do everyday !! God Bless them and the entire PE Team as they are getting stronger every week !
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSharon Jarrell said:
Sep 27, 2008 at 10:55 PMI want to see Kyle Petty in racing even if he has to leave Petty Inc., I go to races to see Petty run I only go to three and he missed two of them. If Kyle isn't racing let fans know and we can pick another driver. I will not support Petty Inc., if Kyle isn't racing for them.
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