On the Loose Side
A NASCAR BLOG BY Kenny Bruce
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Petty Enterprises making waves this week
Apr
4
For an organization that hasn’t won a race in nine years, Petty Enterprises has certainly been in the news a lot this week.
In addition to news that the two-team outfit is close to completing a deal to bring an outside investor into the operation, it was also announced this week that Chad McCumbee would replace Kyle Petty in the team’s No. 45 Dodge this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Petty’s team is outside the top 35 in owner points, so McCumbee’s going to have to race his way into the field if he hopes to be around on Sunday.
Petty, in a statement issued by the team, said putting McCumbee in the car this weekend will allow the team to “get another good look at Chad without throwing him to the wolves.”
Maybe so, but it sure sounds like they’re tossing him in the deep end and hoping he can swim.
Shortly after the McCumbee announcement, Richard Childress Racing officials announced that General Mills, currently the sponsor of the No. 43 Dodge driven by Bobby Labonte, will sponsor a fourth RCR team in 2009 with a driver to be named later.
Now, everyone in the garage will tell you that it would be highly suspect for a sponsor to switch teams without knowing who will drive the car. Petty Enterprises officials contend that they are close to completing a deal with Labonte to extend his contract. Labonte says his only focus is on 2008, but it’s worth noting that Breaking Limits, the marketing group started by Labonte at the end of 2007, handles the General Mills account.
It’s also worth noting that, should it be necessary, Labonte would have a former champions provisional at his disposal should he choose to join a new team that has no owner points.
Of course, he’ll have that option regardless of whether he decides to remain at Petty Enterprises or go elsewhere.
But as of now, it sounds like this is one deal that’s done.
In addition to news that the two-team outfit is close to completing a deal to bring an outside investor into the operation, it was also announced this week that Chad McCumbee would replace Kyle Petty in the team’s No. 45 Dodge this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Petty’s team is outside the top 35 in owner points, so McCumbee’s going to have to race his way into the field if he hopes to be around on Sunday.
Petty, in a statement issued by the team, said putting McCumbee in the car this weekend will allow the team to “get another good look at Chad without throwing him to the wolves.”
Maybe so, but it sure sounds like they’re tossing him in the deep end and hoping he can swim.
Shortly after the McCumbee announcement, Richard Childress Racing officials announced that General Mills, currently the sponsor of the No. 43 Dodge driven by Bobby Labonte, will sponsor a fourth RCR team in 2009 with a driver to be named later.
Now, everyone in the garage will tell you that it would be highly suspect for a sponsor to switch teams without knowing who will drive the car. Petty Enterprises officials contend that they are close to completing a deal with Labonte to extend his contract. Labonte says his only focus is on 2008, but it’s worth noting that Breaking Limits, the marketing group started by Labonte at the end of 2007, handles the General Mills account.
It’s also worth noting that, should it be necessary, Labonte would have a former champions provisional at his disposal should he choose to join a new team that has no owner points.
Of course, he’ll have that option regardless of whether he decides to remain at Petty Enterprises or go elsewhere.
But as of now, it sounds like this is one deal that’s done.
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