[Racer Duck]

While searching out the starting grid for Martinsville, I ran across this NASCAR.COM - Petty Enterprises doesn't want sympathy, welfare - Mar 31, 2007
at nascar.com. It's an article in which Kyle Petty has some pretty interesting things to say. Here's a few that caught my eye:

• "This is a sport where you get a report card every Sunday. You either win and pass or you run second and fail. That's the way it is. So there's 42 guys out here that fail every Sunday."
• "If you're not competitive enough to be here, then you shouldn't be on that welfare system to allow people to show up and be here..."
• "...is it a sport or a business? It's really a business six days a week. It's only a sport on Sunday, but it's a business Monday through Saturday. That's the way it works. From a business side, I'm not against the top 35 having a free ride. ... For the show, it should be the 43 fastest people."

Sounds like the guy has a clear understanding of what NASCAR is in today's world. What's your reaction?

[LSC9901]

"At the same time, Petty maintained that there are teams, the ones at Petty Enterprises included, who deserve some measure of respect in the sport they helped build -- if not some kind of outright advantage in the races on Sundays."

Along with the above statement he also noted that they deserve some respect and something back for all they have given the sport over the past 60 years. He also spoke about teams at the top of the heap and how they also deserve respect. I have to believe that at this point in time HMS doesn't feel they deserve anything . They have earned (?) where they are today and expect nothing to be given to them. Kyle Petty is a "C" driver and why he feels that he should be given something because of what his Grandfather and Father did sounds like he wants both sympathy and welfare. There were a couple of things he said that sounded good. One was that it is a business 6 days a week and a sport one day a week. Then again all sports are a business, at least behind the scenes. The other is one that many agree with. Qualify the fastest 43 and go from there.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

"At the same time, Petty maintained that there are teams, the ones at Petty Enterprises included, who deserve some measure of respect in the sport they helped build -- if not some kind of outright advantage in the races on Sundays."

Along with the above statement he also noted that they deserve some respect and something back for all they have given the sport over the past 60 years. He also spoke about teams at the top of the heap and how they also deserve respect. I have to believe that at this point in time HMS doesn't feel they deserve anything . They have earned (?) where they are today and expect nothing to be given to them. Kyle Petty is a "C" driver and why he feels that he should be given something because of what his Grandfather and Father did sounds like he wants both sympathy and welfare. There were a couple of things he said that sounded good. One was that it is a business 6 days a week and a sport one day a week. Then again all sports are a business, at least behind the scenes. The other is one that many agree with. Qualify the fastest 43 and go from there.

He sounded like a businessman at times and a driver at others. Sometimes it was hard to figure out which one was doing the talking. It definitely was an "interesting read."

[titans#1]

i think petty just wants more respect since petty interprises has bean in the buisness for 60 years but at the same time he doesnt want anyone to feel bad for them.he knows there strougling but i think that petty thinks its not fair that they have bean in the buisness longer than the other guys and there the ones struggling.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by titans#1

i think petty just wants more respect since petty interprises has bean in the buisness for 60 years but at the same time he doesnt want anyone to feel bad for them.he knows there strougling but i think that petty thinks its not fair that they have bean in the buisness longer than the other guys and there the ones struggling.

Had they kept up with changing technology they wouldn't be begging for respect.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Had they kept up with changing technology they wouldn't be begging for respect.

they have the King to thank for that...and I think Kyle knows it.

[Jeffrey4318]

Unfourtunetly PE is probably one or two years away from completely merging/selling with Everhamn Motorsports. PE is basically EM's test dumbings already. I can already see it happening. Sell the 43 to EM, and drop the 45 to stay under the 4 team rule. Petty wouldn't have to completely sell off just be a minority owner. Everhamn Motorsports with Richard Petty? It will probably happen. It probably would be best for it to happen, who knows.

[jks812]

I have been a fan of the Petty's for a long time. I agree with what some of Kyle said, about the fastest 43 being the ones to race. And I think they get more respect than he thinks they do. People still root for them alot and not because of all the good runs they have now, it's because of the name and the fact that they have been in Nascar forever. They got Labonte now and he will eventually do something with the 43. I really think though that Kyle should get out of the 45 and let somebody else in it. I think Kyle lost alot of his desire when Adam was killed, and having lost a child myself, I can completely understand that. But I do think he would make one heck of a businessman. Richard should step back and let Kyle run the show and put someone else in the 45. I really hope he don't merge with EM.

[PettyBlue]

I think the teams should get a much larger peice of the pie.Has any France raced and put their life on the line?Dale,Tiny,Fireball,etc,etc.. has.Who made FRANCE'S,God?

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

I think the teams should get a much larger peice of the pie.Has any France raced and put their life on the line?Dale,Tiny,Fireball,etc,etc.. has.Who made FRANCE'S,God?

Dale,Tiny,Fireball,etc,etc..

ownership has its privileges...

[PettyBlue]

Who owns the teams,cars and therefor the show?Tracks are begging for a date to see the teams and cars not the Frances.Get together owners and race where you agree as a collective body.ps.RD did you read my post?I stated the drivers that did put their life on the line and there are many more.France family is nothing without the big teams.

[PettyBlue]

Here is an example of my statement. Kentucky Speedway lawyers question NASCAR ownership, As the France family does not race but just sucks up money,who needs them?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

I think the teams should get a much larger peice of the pie.Has any France raced and put their life on the line?Dale,Tiny,Fireball,etc,etc.. has.Who made FRANCE'S,God?

Actually, Petty, Big Bill actually raced a bit in his younger days, before becoming promoter extraordinaire. He did some racing in the late '30's and 4'40's, as I recall. I know he ran a few midget races (if you'll remember, early open wheel race cars had no roll bars, most had no seat belts, no fire proof uniforms, and most used mechanical hand-operated brakes. Definitely not a sport for the wimpy.) I think he might have run these up in New Jersey before he moved the Florida. I think he continued after he opened his Daytona garage and I believe that he also drove some early sport car races and possibly a land speed run on the beach.

Who made the France's God? Unfortunately Petty, we have, by making NASCAR such a popular sport. Now it's a case of The Golden Rule; they with the gold, make the rules.

[PettyBlue]

Bob,I was very aware that France Sr. raced for a short while but as he is dead I stand behind the no France races ststement.As for the Golden Rule you are correct that the fans gave.When it comes to the France style then I would say the fans giveth and can taketh away from the France family.

[PettyBlue]

Just another example of why the France's are nothing but leaches, 'Sweat equity:' Has time come for franchises? ,I love the sport of the race but hate the way the France family runs it.