NASCAR .COM REPORT: "IS IT TIME FOR KYLE PETTY TO HANG UP DRIVING GLOVES"

[Tyyrus]

 HEY GUY'S AND GIRL'S !  FOUND THE ABOVE ARTICLE THIS MORNING , IT GOES IN LENGTH  AS TO
TO ENLIGHTEN RACE FAN'S THAT SINCE KYLE IS OUTSIDE THE TOP 35 THAT HIS CAREER IS ALL BUT
OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS , IS IT TIME FOR KYLE TO HANG UP THE GLOVES AND CONCENTRATE SOULY ON MANAGING OR OWNERSHIP !  LET ME KNOW...EH !!!

[Busch Babe 899]

I've been thinking for years that he should do that, much as I love Kyle, he's struggled with both running the teams and driving...they managed to get Bobby Labonte in the 43, time to hunt harder for someone for the 45, IMO, but NOT because he's fallen out of the top 35. That would never deter him from trying to qualify every week, if he really wants to.

I think Ward would be great there, until they get the teams running right and can then bring in a rookie if either Bobby or Ward choose to retire or move on, and Kyle could concentrate on bringing Petty racing up to snuff...they've had spots of brightness earlier this year, I think it can be done.

[smyler]

I could not agree less.  Kyle showed, in qualifying, that he still has the fire in him, today.  He still wants to win.  If he had not hired Robbie and the crew chiefs that he has, maybe I would agree.  He has been making the right hiring decisions in the past year though.  I may be Pollyanna about this, but I still think Kyle has some top 10's in him once they get the cars dialed in right.  There were times this year when he was driving up front but had mechanical problems.  I hope he gives it at least one more full year just to see if the changes took.

[Chris]

you know,.. they said the same thing about Bill Elliott,.. he's too old, he should retire, etc etc etc...
He got hooked up with Ray Evernham and showed the 'young guys' the old dog still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
Bill's last season full time he had a win and 9 top 5's.  He SHOULD of won twice except he had a flat on the last lap of the last race of the season on the white flag lap.
The year before that he DID have two wins...

I think it's the same thing with Kyle.  It's all about the team, chemistry, etc...
Get it all just right, and it all clicks.

[Tyyrus]

I KINDA AGREE BABE , LOT ON KYLES PLATE , MUST BE VERY MUCH A DISTRACTION . THERE HAVE NOT
BEEN MANY DRIVER / OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCESS , OTHER THAN ALLAN K. YOU READ
MY MIND AS TO WARD , SURE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT OLD CATAPILLAR CAR DRIVER , BACK IN        ACTION.

SMYLER , YA ! HE SURE HAD SOME PONY'S UNDER THE HOOD YESTERDAY , ID LOVE TO SEE HIM GET
SOME CONSISTANCY (ENGINES) AND KEEP ON RACING MAN AS CHRIS INDICATED !! HE IS A REAL MAN
AND A GREAT AMBASSADOR TO NASCAR RACING....THANKS ALL ..FOR THE INTERESTING FEED BACK
AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND...CHOW ...EH !!!

[smyler]

Kyle Petty is one of those things you hope for, even though you know it is against the odds.  It's like the US hockey team in 1980, the Panthers of a couple years ago or last years White Sox.  I'm not saying I think Kyle will win 3 races next year but him winning even one would make me very happy.  It's something I don't expect, but it isn't beyond comprehension. 

Things are tough enough for these guys without some writer saying how they think things are.  Sponsors read these things and could think there is something to it.  I'd hate to see GP or Wells Fargo or whoever pull funding because of a rumor or inuendo. 

If you look at the midpoint of most any race, you will find Kyle at about 25th or so, most of the time.  He usually ends deeper than that, but my point is that it doesn't take much for them to bring the performance up to another level.  I'm not saying he'll ever equal Jeff or Tony or Matt, but he could match at least 10 guys who are in front of him in the points right now.  They are spending the money and it only makes sense that some kind of better results should follow.

[Bryan Blanton]

Personally no i think kyle should retire when he wants to retire not when some writer from nascar.com wants him to retire.

[smyler]

Kyle finished 25th, which isn't stellar, but it isn't bad compared with 18 other guys.  He is 33rd, so he isn't as worried about qualifying, though I'm sure he'd like to repeat his 17th place he had at Dover.  I think these article writers ought to think about the results of what their writing may have before they publish.  Enough standing up for Kyle.  Sorry, it just really bothered me for some reason.

[Dustcloud]

Meh. I think as long as the writer's in a column and not presenting opinions as facts or publishing wrong facts, there's nothing wrong with writing that.

Like BB6 said, it's not like that hasn't crossed people's minds before, and not just this year, or last year, but even back before Adam was killed people were questioning if he still had the fire. And if columnists weren't allowed to publish anything that might put a questioning or even unfavorable eye on anyone, they'd all be out of jobs including a number of our own FS writers. And if sponsors pull out, it won't be because of what this guy wrote, it'll be because of the numbers that spurred that question in the first place. And those numbers, like it or not, are not the writer's problem. They are Petty's problem.

Should he retire?As stated above, only if he wants to. But sadly for Kyle, I think he might find himself getting *pushed* out next year - and not by some writer - unless they pick up the pace on that team.

[smyler]

Ok, I wasn't going to say anything more, but that made me think of back in 2000 I was at my Sprint store, in Charlotte, paying my phone bill and they had one of Kyle's cars out in the parking lot.  I went out and spoke to the guy there and we both chatted about how it had been so long since Kyle had done well.  I remember saying to the guy that I hoped Kyle wouldn't be forced out by sponsors leaving.  Sprint actually stayed with him for some time.

I think Kyle is a different case.  His sponsors know that Kyle carries a lot of goodwill, whether he does well or not.  That isn't to say that they wouldn't like him to do better, but there is a lot to be said for associating with a good guy, verses being sponsor of a team that does well but has a lot of people who hate him.  I used to drink Miller Lite, but I don't anymore.  Only ONE reason I don't, either.  Kurt!  Too bad too, cuz I'm doing the Atkins diet, lol.  All the others have more carbs!

[Chris]

Kyle finished 25th, which isn't stellar, but it isn't bad compared with 18 other guys.  He is 33rd, so he isn't as worried about qualifying, though

Maybe I missed what you were getting at when you said this above...
Kyle IS 33rd in DRIVER points but he is behind the #19, #40, and #96 in owner points.
Kyle is in 36th in owner points.  He is a go or go home car every week.  He has to qualify well or the weeks done for him.
He's only 40 points behind Marlin,. but when you're not running well 40 points is a lot of ground to make up.

Kyle is actually only about 100 points ahead of the #32 car,.. and that car has missed TWO races this year.

I figure the #14 or the #45 will get the last spot to be locked into the top 35 for next year,... of course with so many teams next season, I'm expecting some tinkering with that number in some form also.

[AfterShock]

Meh. I think as long as the writer's in a column and not presenting opinions as facts or publishing wrong facts, there's nothing wrong with writing that.

Like BB6 said, it's not like that hasn't crossed people's minds before, and not just this year, or last year, but even back before Adam was killed people were questioning if he still had the fire. And if columnists weren't allowed to publish anything that might put a questioning or even unfavorable eye on anyone, they'd all be out of jobs including a number of our own FS writers. And if sponsors pull out, it won't be because of what this guy wrote, it'll be because of the numbers that spurred that question in the first place. And those numbers, like it or not, are not the writer's problem. They are Petty's problem.

Should he retire?As stated above, only if he wants to. But sadly for Kyle, I think he might find himself getting *pushed* out next year - and not by some writer - unless they pick up the pace on that team.

.........

"Write-On" Dustcloud!!!

A race without a Petty is like a day without sunshine. IMO, it'll be a cold day when the Petty name isn't entered in a race. But, I also know that day is coming.

When some drivers retire -- that's it, they made their mark in racing. Which isn't a bad thing. But what the Petty's have done for mankind goes well beyond the track and racing. They've done more for all of us than any other driver/owner/team that comes to mind -- and will last for eternity. Who won the 1970 championship? QUICK NOW.
Who has done more for children in memory of a lost child?
See what I mean? No hesitation on that answer, was there?

NASCAR pales in comparison to The Victory Junction Gang Camp. If I were the Man Above -- I know who I'D shine on.

Kyle is a champion EVERY year!
Yes he is.

May God bless the Pettys and all who have donated their time and money to make the VJGC a working success. Off hand, I can think of no better way to turn a tragedy into a blessing. Thousands upon thousands of children will beam with Adam's wide smile. Thanx Adam. Thanx Richard. Thanx Kyle. Thanx Pattie. True Angels if ever there where.

Success comes in many forms. And some are more successful than others. Long may the Petty success continue.

When NA$CAR tries to increase the fan base, just imagine the fans the Victory Junction Gang Camp will generate. In the future, the grandstands just might need to be more accessable to those from the Camp. That, by golly, IS VICTORY!!
No if's and's or but's. Caring and compassion -- THAT'S what it's all about.

[smyler]

Maybe I missed what you were getting at when you said this above...
Kyle IS 33rd in DRIVER points but he is behind the #19, #40, and #96 in owner points.
Kyle is in 36th in owner points.  He is a go or go home car every week.  He has to qualify well or the weeks done for him.
He's only 40 points behind Marlin,. but when you're not running well 40 points is a lot of ground to make up.

Kyle is actually only about 100 points ahead of the #32 car,.. and that car has missed TWO races this year.

I figure the #14 or the #45 will get the last spot to be locked into the top 35 for next year,... of course with so many teams next season, I'm expecting some tinkering with that number in some form also.

  Sorry, I just looked at driver points on NASCAR.com and saw that he was 33rd.

[Chris]

hey,.. no problem dude,... not an issue.
not trying to make anyone look bad...

Hope you didn't get that feeling.  I just hope Kyle can make all the fields the rest of the way out

[Tyyrus]

 



     HEY , KYLE QUALIFIED PRETTY WELL TODAY BOYS AND GIRLS (24TH) NOT TO SHABBY...GO PETTY
     GO !!!!