[Jeffrey4396]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I can't answer this using any of the options. I think they are just too far behind the times. Only the fact the Labonte is a better driver than Kyle has allowed the 43 to be even mediocre.

We'll never know how good or bad Kyle still is, since he is riding around in that car. I don't think anyone could win in that car, and even though I think more effort, and better people, are working on the 43, I'm not sure that many other drivers could do a lot better than Bobby is doing.

This season is critical to the entire PE team for the future. If Bobby doesn't win, I think he will leave.

And his leaving before the rebuilding of PE is complete might just be the death blow for the whole company.

I agree I think Bobby has done more than enough to meet his end of the bargain. Time for PE to step up with theirs. I just hope Bobby doesn't feel like he has to fix PE's problems and cannot leave. I think he owes it to himself and his fans to finish his career in a competitive car. Do I think he can win a championship? Maybe not, but I think he can compete for one and win races. I beleive he could do no worse if not better than Jeff Burton. It is sad when I look forward more to watching Bobby in the NW or CTS series compared to the Cup series.

I think this weekend is the icing on the cake for it. The PE contract is on the table for Bobby to sign and I think it will go unsigned. Matter of fact I think the deal between RCR and him has been final for a while. Bobby is just too much of a gentleman to announce it so early in the season. He is putting 100% of his effort in the 43 this year and will give Kyle this season to right the ship or get it righted as much as possible before he leaves. The best Bobby can do for PE before he leaves now is make sure that 43 car has a garuanteed spot for the first 5 races next year.

[Phils20]

I beleive he could do no worse if not better than Jeff Burton. It is sad when I look forward more to watching Bobby in the NW or CTS series compared to the Cup series.

Exactly. It has just become hard for me to watch on Sundays, as his chances of winning seem small. I just can't bring myself to give up on him, but it is so hard to watch him struggle. Jeff Burton is a great example of what Bobby can do.

I think Bobby has at least as much, if not more, talent than Jeff, and right now it is being wasted.

I'd love to see Bobby the one that helps PE get back on track, but it has to take a big upswing this year for me to support him staying there.

I'd love to see him at RCR.

As far as Kyle goes, as I said earlier, that 45 team is just out to lunch. McCumbee should go to the 43 if Bobby leaves, and just put him out there every race. You could always bring back Jphn Andretti just to keep the 45 running, and continue to try and get the cars better.

[Bob Tanner]

This is a subject when sentimentality and get in the way of practicality.

I'd say 80% of the race fans like Kyle and probably a slightly lesser number don't want to see him go. That's the sentimental side of it.

The practical side of it is that he's not the driver he once was and his performance could easily be detrimental to the overall performance of PE. A younger, more determined driver might be seen as an improvement.

I respect the Hell out of Kyle and what he has accomplished but practically speaking, it's time to turn over the driver's seat to someone else.

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I'm confused how you mean that: as an announcer? car owner? driver? or personallity?

I agree he is a good announcer and personallity, disagree he's a good driver (now) and see him as a so-so owner (now). Understand, I'm talking about now and am in no way slighting his accomplishments over the years. But it's been years since he's accomplished anything substantial within the sport.

I guess I meant as a personality. If you want to talk about 'racing' accomplishments, there are a number of drivers we could mention. There are guys that go out there and race every week. Never win, place or show, never really do ANYTHING notable. Should we 'cull' the field?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

I guess I meant as a personality. If you want to talk about 'racing' accomplishments, there are a number of drivers we could mention. There are guys that go out there and race every week. Never win, place or show, never really do ANYTHING notable. Should we 'cull' the field?

Interesting question. The thread is about Kyle being at the end of his career but in respect to what you are saying I believe that the qualifying process, although very flawed, is doing just that.When you drop below the magical chosen 35 number and you cannot get one of the remaining spots ... it's time to re-evaluate whether or not you (driver/team) have what it takes to remain in the top level of NASCAR racing.

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Exactly. It has just become hard for me to watch on Sundays, as his chances of winning seem small. I just can't bring myself to give up on him, but it is so hard to watch him struggle. Jeff Burton is a great example of what Bobby can do.

I think Bobby has at least as much, if not more, talent than Jeff, and right now it is being wasted.

I'd love to see Bobby the one that helps PE get back on track, but it has to take a big upswing this year for me to support him staying there.

I'd love to see him at RCR.

As far as Kyle goes, as I said earlier, that 45 team is just out to lunch. McCumbee should go to the 43 if Bobby leaves, and just put him out there every race. You could always bring back Jphn Andretti just to keep the 45 running, and continue to try and get the cars better.

Agreed. I'd love to see Bobby Labonte at RCR too. He'd make a helluva 4th addition to the organization. (And another great example for Bowyer to learn from). Bobby may not be my favorite driver, but I still have a lot of respect for him. And it gets frustrating to see him in substandard equipment.


To me, Kyle Petty has always seemed to be just 'dialing it in' on Sundays, and I'm quite frankly surprised he didn't dip below the top 35 before this. I respect him as a person, and think he's great as an announcer. However, now that he has to race his way in he's likely to be on the track a lot less. I too hope he goes into announcing. Replace some of those other boneheads with him and Dale Jarrett. That would be cool.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Right or wrong Kyle owns the car/team and can drive it as long as he damn well please's.Same as Richard did between 1985-1992.Should he,no.Can he,yes.Will he,up to him.

those are the facts and I'd say its up to Kyle.

He must be close to making a decision tho.......why not do a couple of seasons part time driving / commentating and let a rookie learn the ropes

[SteelPhoenyx]

Well now, what do we have here?

NASCAR.COM - General Mills to sponsor fourth RCR car*in 2009 - Apr 1, 2008

General Mills to sponsor fourth RCR car in 2009

By Official Release
April 1, 2008
11:31 AM EDT

WELCOME, N.C. -- Richard Childress Racing and General Mills have agreed to terms on a multi-year partnership for the world's sixth-largest food company to sponsor the No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet beginning with the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season.

The driver for the new ride will be announced at a later date.

"RCR is honored to represent General Mills and its Cheerios, Hamburger Helper and many other brands in the NASCAR Cup Series," team owner Richard Childress said. "The partnership is another step in RCR's continued association with blue-chip global brands and companies.

"General Mills has a great history of activating its NASCAR programs so our focus now turns to the short list of drivers we feel will help continue that tradition as well as be at the same competitive level on the track as our current drivers and teams."

The 2009 season will mark General Mills' 13th year of sponsorship involvement in NASCAR as well as Richard Childress' 40th anniversary in the sport. It will mark the first time RCR will run a fourth full-time Cup Series team.

-------

Driver to be announced at a later date? I'd be surprised if it WASN'T Bobby Labonte!

Unless, of course, this is just another April Fool's Joke?

[mcdcwilliams]

"Petty has totaled eight victories on the NASCAR circuit in his career, so he knows how to get to Victory Lane."

Kyle Petty has the history of a champion, personally and in his DNA. everyone has slumps. I think you're all jumping the gun on this one... just a little.

[oncea3fan]

kyle hasn't been competitive since he left the 42 felix saabotas car.

he might of won 1 in the 44 hot wheels ???

but with bobby more then likey leaving , might we the 26 driver in the 43 next year . ???

[johnsonfan_48]

Originally Posted by SteelPhoenyx

Agreed. I'd love to see Bobby Labonte at RCR too. He'd make a helluva 4th addition to the organization. (And another great example for Bowyer to learn from). Bobby may not be my favorite driver, but I still have a lot of respect for him. And it gets frustrating to see him in substandard equipment.


To me, Kyle Petty has always seemed to be just 'dialing it in' on Sundays, and I'm quite frankly surprised he didn't dip below the top 35 before this. I respect him as a person, and think he's great as an announcer. However, now that he has to race his way in he's likely to be on the track a lot less. I too hope he goes into announcing. Replace some of those other boneheads with him and Dale Jarrett. That would be cool.

Here is my question?

Why is the Petty Equipment so poor is it because they dont have money...IE the investors comming on board. Are they convinced they dont have the talent to be competitive. Or is it leardership...I think the world of Richard Petty but maybe someone else needs to be calling the shots at PE.

Just my humble opinion

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by johnsonfan_48

Here is my question?

Why is the Petty Equipment so poor is it because they dont have money...IE the investors comming on board. Are they convinced they dont have the talent to be competitive. Or is it leardership...I think the world of Richard Petty but maybe someone else needs to be calling the shots at PE.

Just my humble opinion

My point of view is simple. Yes to all of your points. Now naturally none of us have any inside information so it's all just a big turkey shoot for the most part. They have admittedly fallen way behind in advanced technology. It isn't just about the driver or the pit crew or the car. It's about all of those things and they must work in harmony. They have Bobby Labonte who many agree has some good years left in him. At some point in time I'm sure Bobby will sadly admit that they just couldn't provide the needed equipment for him. If he wins with RCR Bobby will be removed from the equation as a problem any way. PE is a company that needs to be reorganized from top to bottom if the are to ever win consistently again. You just cannot run on past laurels.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

My point of view is simple. Yes to all of your points. Now naturally none of us have any inside information so it's all just a big turkey shoot for the most part. They have admittedly fallen way behind in advanced technology. It isn't just about the driver or the pit crew or the car. It's about all of those things and they must work in harmony. They have Bobby Labonte who many agree has some good years left in him. At some point in time I'm sure Bobby will sadly admit that they just couldn't provide the needed equipment for him. If he wins with RCR Bobby will be removed from the equation as a problem any way. PE is a company that needs to be reorganized from top to bottom if the are to ever win consistently again. You just cannot run on past laurels.

If they left the trophy case and all the trophies in Level Cross, then they did a good thing - when you make a move like they just did for the reasons they said, ya gotta be thinking about mostly starting over... If not, they're probably still living in the past...

[salysenior]

both kyle and his family are making a pretty good living just riding around....why would they want to change that??

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by salysenior

both kyle and his family are making a pretty good living just riding around....why would they want to change that??

They are probably content but with sponsorships tightening up the reins you can bet that that they are not happy and the fact that Kyle failed to qualify cannot sit well with driver, owner and sponsors. That good living of which you speak may be on its way out.