Friday Notes, Quotes, and Dotes
It’s been a rough week for the most storied team in NASCAR. The #45 car and Kyle Petty have struggled in almost every aspect this year. They don’t have a finish better than 28th through five races, pushing the car beyond the safety of the top 35. Then last week Petty failed to qualify for the race at Martinsville. This week Petty decided to take one for the team and step out of the #45. Chad McCumbee subbed for Petty twice last year. The difference this time is that McCumbee must make the race on speed. At least he only has to be faster than three cars.
Not only is one of Petty Enterprises cars in big trouble, but the other car will lose its primary sponsor, Betty Crocker, at the end of the season. The math seems to also add up that Bobby Labonte would join Childress, but since only one writer, Bob Margolis has the story, I’ll wait until someone else confirms it.
Labonte released a statement today pleading for people to avoid speculation:
“I’m very humbled by the level of interest in my future, but at this time I’m concentrating all my efforts in getting Petty Enterprises back to victory lane. I feel good about all the positive steps that Petty Enterprises has made and continues to make.“General Mills has been a huge part of making the 43 team what it is today. I worked diligently with Petty Enterprises to continue General Mills involvement with the team. Today, we all learned they have made a decision. I truly appreciate all they have done to contribute to our success at Petty Enterprises.
“Moving forward, I’m going to work hard each week to win races. I want to do the best I can for Petty Enterprises and everyone who puts great cars under me each week. That’s our focus, and that’s what I feel is the right thing to do for all our partners. At this time, I have no intention to talk about my plans after 2008 because of the immediate tasks at hand. I respectively ask for everyone’s patience in this matter and, again, am humbled by everyone’s interest. ”
It not quite a ringing endorsement for staying in the #43 in 2009, but Labonte can’t really do much else except quell the rumors.
For Petty Enterprises the combined developments are a huge blow. Betty Crocker has been with PE since 2000 although the relationship has only produced 4 top fives and 18 top tens in that span. Having a car slip out of the top 35 also does little to woo sponsorship dollars.
The one hint of good news for Petty was a potential investor is close to signing on. The team needs an infusion of capital. The team needs to find a replacement sponsor for the #43 and solidify the shaky #45 sponsorship as well. I don’t think Petty will close up shop soon, and they are pointed in the right direction with their recent moves. The trick will be not only keeping their current status in NASCAR, but finding a way to advance. It’s going to be a rough season, but if they can weather it, secure sponsorship or investment some of their decisions like leasing Evernham engines, moving their shops to the Charlotte area and their personnel hirings could pay off. For a company that means so much to NASCAR’s history and their off track image, it’s hard not to hope it works out.
Links and Notes
- Doug Demmons explains what it feels to take a drive at Talladega. At 170 mph.
- Dustin Long writes about Red Bull Racing’s full time pit crew team. A few interesting notes from the article. They are the only full-time crew in NASCAR. The cost is about $1 million. One of the big fears when Toyota joined NASCAR was that they could outspend other manufacturers and teams. Maybe this is one of the first signs of that free spending. As if teams needed another area to spend money on.
- If you need some last minute help choosing your fantasy team, maybe this can be of assistance.
- Dale Jr’s Adidas clothing line is now on sale at select Texas retail locations:
After making its debut in Daytona at the start of the NASCAR season, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s adidas JR Nation Gear has invaded the Lone Star state! Consumers can pick up the latest adidas Dale Jr. gear including men’s and women’s t-shirts, jackets, hats and jerseys, at any of the six Sports Authority locations in the Fort Worth area (addresses below). In addition, fans can check out Dale Jr.’s #88 AMP show car, which will be visiting Sports Authority stores across Dallas and Fort Worth starting April 1 and culminating on April 5 (dates, times and locations below).
Designed and developed with the help of Dale Jr., JR Nation Gear features the same adidas ClimaCool technology that allows Dale Jr. to stay cool on the track. adidas ClimaCool technology is a ventilation system that utilizes specially engineered air channels, materials and components to provide superior moisture management, enhanced evaporation and better breathability. Throughout the season, new products, including footwear, accessories and other exclusive gear, will debut in conjunction with special events like All-Star in Charlotte this May.
Locations, dates and times of Dale Jr.’s #88 AMP show car appearances include:
April 1, 4-7pm
Hulen Store
4830 S. W. Loop 820-Overton Park
Fort Worth, TX 76109April 4, 10am-1pm
Stonebriar Store
2930 Preston Road, Ste 200B
Frisco, TX 75034April 2, 4-7pm
Cedar Hills Store
727 North Highway 67
Cedar Hill, TX 75104-2142April 4, 4-7pm
Denton Store
1800 South Loop 288, Ste 240
Denton, TX 76205April 3, 4-7pm
Irving Store
3524 Airport Freeway West
Irving, TX 75062April 5, 10am–1 pm
Watauga Store
7612 Denton Highway,Ste 404
Watauga, TX 76148What are you waiting for? Go get it!
Have a good weekend and enjoy the race.
April 5th, 2008 at 6:03 am
I don’t know if you have read it or not, but there is a story out that Kyle Petty may go to another team. (Scene Daily http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Kyle_Petty_willing_to_move_to_a_different_team.html)
But it is Scene Daily, so we should take it with a grain of salt. Still let’s help them with a rumor–it will be Kyle Petty going to RCR with Betty Crocker. After all, we can’t be sure his problems at PE aren’t just the equipment. How would he do in RCR power?
April 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I heard a little tid-bit of info that Petty Enterprises will be going public - as in you or I can buy shares in the organization and that is going to help them get some much needed capital.