The Frontstretch: Boston Ventures Could Give Petty Enterprises a Bright Future-If They Remember the Past by Amy Henderson -- Friday June 13, 2008

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Boston Ventures Could Give Petty Enterprises a Bright Future-If They Remember the Past

Holding A Pretty Wheel · Amy Henderson · Friday June 13, 2008

 

It had to happen, really.

Petty Enterprises’ announcement on Wednesday that they had sold a portion of the family business that has been around as long as NASCAR has been on the track was not really a surprise. But on some level, it is a disappointment.

Boston Ventures, by all accounts, is a wealthy, stable company with pockets deep enough to fund new technology for the two-car team-and are even talking already of adding a third team to the stable. That part is help sorely needed. Petty Enterprises was a team that time had nearly passed by. A Contender a decade ago, the team was being left behind by technology—and its growing cost. The money that Boston Ventures appears eager to put into the team will be a welcome and necessary addition. It will take time, but if approached correctly, the team may return to a semblance of its former glory.

Then why does it seem like the end of an era?

Because, in a way it is. Formed in 1949 under the banner of Lee Petty Engineering, the company can boast of ten championships—three for Lee Petty and seven for Richard. Kyle Petty became the third generation to drive for the family business, though he also drove for other owners during his career. And Adam Petty, of course, was to have been the fourth. The car numbers reflected the heritage for a time-Lee’s 42, Richard’s 43, Kyle’s 44, Adam’s 45. Kyle took the No. 45 as a tribute to Adam after Adam was killed in a practice crash in 2000. And in a way, that was when the empire began to crumble.

Boston Ventures’ investment in Petty Enterprises could mean a rebirth of the team, or it could be its death knell.

Because Adam made one Cup start before his death, the Pettys are the only four-generation legacy in any major American sport. From the beginning, it was a family business-both Richard and his brother Maurice worked on Lee’s cars—Maurice was one of the best mechanics in the garage, choosing that route over driving. The whole family would travel to the races. They helped other drivers make it in the sport, and still do, employing a very young Michael Waltrip in the shop, and giving Chad McCumbee his best shot at NASCAR stardom, among others. Petty blue became instantly recognizable on the palate. Petty Superbirds stalked the superspeedways once, and nobody, but nobody crossed Lee Petty on track without consequence, not even his own son. Fans owe a lot of the accessibility they enjoy from drivers today to Richard Petty, who would sign autographs for everyone who asked, even after a race.

I hope Boston Ventures remembers all of this and more when they put their stamp on the company. I hope that it doesn’t turn out to be a corporate takeover akin to Ma and Pa’s General Store being bought by and then becoming a Super Duper Mart, losing all vestiges of its former self in the process. In this case, it’s the team’s past that sets it apart from any other team on the track, not its potential value at the bank.

If Boston Ventures can make Petty Enterprises into what it once was, a thriving business with nothing more on the agenda than to win—win now, win next week, win at all costs allowed in the rule book and maybe a few that aren’t—they will have brought out the real glory the team once had. If they try to make it a generic race team that settles for comfortable consistency, they will have let us—and the Petty family—down in a way that will signal the team’s death knell. Sure, they might survive, but without the soul of Petty Enterprises the way Lee Petty built it so many years ago.

In a sport with so few ties to the past, Petty Enterprises has been a constant entity almost from day one. It would be a shame for that to end. So take this team, Boston Ventures, and treat it like the icon it was and can be. Recognize it’s history and build its future in that image. Make it right for the Petty family and all the fans. Don’t let the ride-the wild, glorious sixty-year ride come to an end.

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Ed
06/13/2008 07:43 AM
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I’m glad someone addressed this. My first thought, when I saw that it had finally happened was, “this is the end.” When the Petty’s give up control of their team in order to survive financially, you know that NASCAR is forever changed. Money rules and true racing competition is overshadowed by corporate dealings. If the corporation gets into financial trouble, the team could be sold to another or simply closed down. Corporations look at the bottom line and the bottom line only. I do hope, as you say, that this company keeps the Petty tradition alive, but, I fear this won’t be the case. Rest in peace NASCAR traditions.

smyler
06/13/2008 11:49 AM
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I don’t think the Petty’s would have done this move if they thought it was all about business. Boston Ventures has money but they must also have a desire to be successful, otherwise Kyle and Richard would have never signed on with them. I like and respect the Petty’s and don’t believe they did it just for the dough. I know Kyle still wants to be competitive. Don’t let anyone tell you he is ok with just running circles. I believe he still feels he can be a front runner if he has the right gear and this venture should bring that at least closer. We will all have to wait and see if the dividends pay but wouldn’t you just love to see Bobby win again? Makes me smile inside just to think of that 43 car winning a race.

Skip
06/13/2008 02:14 PM
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While I agree with wanting to see the 43 in Victory Lane again, I want to see the 45 competitive…To know that the 45 iswill be what Kyle wanted it to be…

MR ED
06/13/2008 11:20 PM
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Boston Ventures wants to make money we will see more Petty driving schools every where Petty rides at parks Petty soap Petty toys Be Petty this and that etc. If they win great if not who knows.Richard Pettys title chairman emeritus I did know what it means so I looked it up . emeritus means
“retired from active service, usually for age, but retaining one’s rank“so does he[Richard] still do something or who knows.The driving schools and selling the Pettys name is where Boston Ventures make there money.BUT with the pettys putting there money back in the team it should help them get back to where they race better and win

 

Contact Amy Henderson

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