[salysenior]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

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.

they are an old n.c. family and their values are different than most people NOW in nascur....did you ever see pics of their mansions on the lake or their yachts????

[jks812]

Originally Posted by salysenior

they are an old n.c. family and their values are different than most people NOW in nascur

Which is probably why they'll be able to get sponsors. Sponsor won't have to worry about off track or on track controversey, and it knows they won't be associated with a team that has to cheat.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

Which is probably why they'll be able to get sponsors. Sponsor won't have to worry about off track or on track controversey, and it knows they won't be associated with a team that has to cheat.

If only it were so, jks. If only it were so.

Unfortunately today's sponsor wants its rolling bill board on the tube each week and the only way to get it there, in a positive light, is to run up front. Petty and the Wood Brothers haven't been seen up there in a few seasons.

Sadly to say, it's probably mostly their own fault. As salysenior put it, when the others were out there buying mansions, yachts, seven post rigs, industrial complexes close to Charlotte, etc., etc., PE, Woods and Morgan McClure were still where they started, doing things basically the way they had always been done because they believed in racing, not engineering.

Also sadly to say, my bet is that when General Mills signed its deal with RCR, the amount of sponsorship money was probably double what they were giving Petty. That is what happened to Bud Moore when Motorcraft left him for Yates. Bud just threw up his hands and like Junior Johnson before him, just walked away with his dignity in tact. I hope Petty does the same. Better that than to languish at the back of the field each week in underfunded cars with gratuitous sponsorship. Petty Enterprises is better than that. But, in light of the way Richard ended his career, I doubt if they'll do it but will linger on and on, long after the punch bowl is empty.

[simple simon]

im not a big fan of the "Farewell Tour" many athletes have ... the big season long going away party normally makes me sick

but in this case i think it would be very fitting .... im thinking of the Camp more then anything .... track owners and what not would throw money at him imo

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by simple simon

im not a big fan of the "Farewell Tour" many athletes have ... the big season long going away party normally makes me sick

We are of a like mind here, Simon, my man. Just another way to bilk more hard earned (I hope) money out of fans for overpriced trinkets & thrash.

I will always maintain the best "Farewell Tour" was Ernie Ervin's. He called a press conference on Tuesday and said, "Due to health reasons, effective immediately I've quit driving competitively. Thank you for your support and good bye." The length of THAT tour was just about right.

Originally Posted by simple simon

but in this case i think it would be very fitting .... im thinking of the Camp more then anything .... track owners and what not would throw money at him imo

Question... As obviously worthwhile as Victory Junction is, why would anyone need a reason to donate to the cause? I'm not a person who is big on charity but even I send around the middle of May, a check to VJ. I get more satisfaction out of the knowledge I've maybe helped some kid more than I would get out of any cheesy tee-shirt with "Kyle's Last Ride" emblazoned across the front.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Question... As obviously worthwhile as Victory Junction is, why would anyone need a reason to donate to the cause?

giving isnt always the problem .... for some it is what they give and to whom they give it to

from the various "Farewell Tours" i have seen ... a stadium may give an athlete a car or similar high $ item that they dont need (if you are enough of a star to have anyone care about you leaving, you can buy your own car) .... instead of every track presenting Kyle with a Harley to add to his collection how about a $25,000 donation to the Camp instead ?

when giving is a problem .... you go the other route .... the cheesy T-shirt route ........ will 10,000 non-caring fans give $5 to the camp .. probably not ..... will they buy the "collectible" T-shirt where $5 from the sale is donated to the camp .... maybe so

more then one way to skin a cat my friend

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by simple simon

giving isnt always the problem .... for some it is what they give and to whom they give it to

from the various "Farewell Tours" i have seen ... a stadium may give an athlete a car or similar high $ item that they dont need (if you are enough of a star to have anyone care about you leaving, you can buy your own car) .... instead of every track presenting Kyle with a Harley to add to his collection how about a $25,000 donation to the Camp instead ?

when giving is a problem .... you go the other route .... the cheesy T-shirt route ........ will 10,000 non-caring fans give $5 to the camp .. probably not ..... will they buy the "collectible" T-shirt where $5 from the sale is donated to the camp .... maybe so

more then one way to skin a cat my friend

Point well taken. I'm just not a big proponent of memorabilia and farewell tours. But then, that's what being a curmudegon is all about, I guess.

[Phils20]

Well, Kyle Petty is PO'd. If this is the end, he sure isn't aware!!

ESPN - Petty, team VP Loomis differ on who made call for McCumbee - Racing

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Well, Kyle Petty is PO'd. If this is the end, he sure isn't aware!!

ESPN - Petty, team VP Loomis differ on who made call for McCumbee - Racing

Wow! "It's not like we're fighting or anything..." It sure doesn't sound like it, Kyle.

If McCumbee has a good weekend at Texas this might get a little bit fugly. Something else I'd hate to see Petty descend into.

[Phils20]

True Bob. But, if Kyle is really all about what is best for the race team, he should support Chad if he does a better job.

The 43 isn't setting the world on fire, but it sure is outperforming the 45.

I would like to think Kyle can still get it done, but I have to respect them a bit for trying something. What have they got to lose?