Trouble in Turn2

[Trouble in Turn2 Exclusive] The King is back. Seven time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty will replace son Kyle in the #45 car for the upcoming Sprint Cup race at Martinsville. With the younger Petty losing his guaranteed spot inside the top 35, the team will utilize NASCAR’s past champion provisional to make the next six races.

”We thought about moving Bobby [Labonte] to the #45, but that would create more complications, and the public opinion on swapping owner’s points was very negative, so we did the next best thing,” said Petty Enterprises GM Robbie Loomis, “Besides. Imagine the revenue we’ll get from the diecasts.”

Initial concerns about the 70 year old Petty’s safety were immediately dissipated. “Because Richard is a former champion, we will have him in the car for qualifying and then Kyle will take the wheel for practices and the actual race. Richard will make one lap at qualifying speed and the rest is taken care of by NASCAR’s muddied rule book. We’ll start 43rd, but that’s where Kyle typically runs anyways.”

That muddied rule book awards one guaranteed spot to the most recent champion not already qualified for the race. Loomis had no comment when reminded that a more recent champion, Bill Elliott is also entered at Martinsville.

In related news, DEI is applying for a posthumous past champion’s provisional to be transferred from the late Dale Earnhardt Sr to his wife Teresa. This would allow her to pilot the #01 normally driven by Regan Smith.

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