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MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Bobby Labonte could find himself in the No. 45 instead of the 43 at Petty Enterprises should Kyle Petty fall out of the top 35 in Nextel Cup owners' points over the next five weeks.
Petty said he would consider switching cars with his teammate so both would be guaranteed a starting spot, him on Labonte's points [17th] and Labonte on his past champion's provisional, the remainder of this season.
That also could help for next season if Labonte could race the No. 45 back into the top 35 that will be guaranteed a spot the first five races of 2008.

ESPN - Labonte, Petty could swap cars in next few weeks - Nascar

[bears9]

Guys make Petty out to be such a great buy, but this pretty selfish.

[jks812]

I don't look at it as selfish. It's a business decision that alot of the smaller teams have had to make this year. It's all because of the top 35 rule, that should just go away.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by bears9

Guys make Petty out to be such a great buy, but this pretty selfish.

It most certainly is a business decision and if you are a person in business and want to be successful then you do whatever it takes to attain your goal. Petty isn't the first team to use the rules to their advantage. Why do you think MWR hired Dale Jarrett ?? Why do teams keep bringing back drivers like Bill Elliott ??? The rules have loop holes and anyone in business would be foolish not to find and use them.

[Bob Tanner]

I heard last Thursday that this might be coming.

Yep, it's a "business deal," but I still think it stinks that the entertainment venue of sports is openly played under the dictates of "business."

I immediate feeling is: Leave sports on the sports page and business in the business section; please don't mix them, it degrades both.

Personally, Steve, I see very little difference between the discussions mixing business with NA$CAR and the discussions mixing politics and NA$CAR. I might be a little myopic but, to me, professional sports, big business and politics are becoming difficult to differentiate. ...and that, my good friend, is a sad state of affairs.

[wardfan]

if they ran the fastest 43 each week and get rid of the top 35 we wouldn't have to put up with this crap. The top 35 is what makes it business & not racing

[Phils20]

The way the 43 has come together in the last two months, there is no way I stunt the growth of that team. If they want the 45 to race, get the teams act together, or find another driver to drive that car.

They should have been thinking about getting in races in the off season. Both teams have the same gear, so the diff is the crew chief and driver. How about addressing those issues.

Love ya Kyle, but don't do it.

[PettyBlue]

I don't blame the Petty's a bit.It is just a matter of a paint job and number decals.No team members have to be switched of even built cars.Kyle did not create the rules and may not like them but NASCAR did.Give me the ground rules before the game starts and I will play by them as quite a few other teams in NASCAR are already doing with this points game.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wardfan

if they ran the fastest 43 each week and get rid of the top 35 we wouldn't have to put up with this crap. The top 35 is what makes it business & not racing

Can I get an "AMEN!," Brother Ward?

[Lefturn]

AMEN Brother Ward!!

[wardfan]

Need I remind you guys, again, its sister Ward

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by wardfan

Need I remind you guys, again, its sister Ward

Not me... got the message the first time I screwed it up

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by wardfan

Need I remind you guys, again, its sister Ward

Detremining cyberspace gender can be difficult at best. Thanks for setting everyone straight .... again !!! (Sister)

[oncea3fan]

looks like kyle has 100 plus pt lead on 36 so I think he should be ok.

maybe he needs to try so of bobbies set ups ?

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

looks like kyle has 100 plus pt lead on 36 so I think he should be ok.

maybe he needs to try so of bobbies set ups ?

That seems like a much better deal than the car switch to me! But kyles finish last week makes a switch less likely!