I was reading an article by Bowles over at SI (Panic Mode Looms for 5 Drivers) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_bowles/02/28/nascar.panic/index.html?eref=T1

The jury is out as to whether Casey Mears or Denny Hamlin will be able to make the Chase this year after such bad starts, but I am seriously questioning Kyle Petty's ability to climb into the top 35 in the next three weeks. I feel fairly certain that Casey Mears will be able to, but that leaves the question of which two drivers currently in the top 35 will perform poorly enough over the next three weeks to make room for both Casey and Kyle?

"The problem is, Petty's not figuring out those fixes quick enough. The 46-year-old vet has had some of his best runs in recent years at Vegas. If he doesn't pull a Top 15 there, it's hard to see this team inserting itself in the Top 35 down the road -- a dangerous scenario that could see both Petty missing races and Labonte looking for an out in '09."

This would be beyond "dangerous" IMO; it would be disasterous. If you're a team with a car currently in the top 35 in points you have to be doing everything in your power to make sure you stay there - otherwise you risk the very viability of your race shop. Doesn't Kyle Petty realize that? The move out of Level Cross is not a cure-all, and Jeff Meendering is only one guy. They're steps in the right direction, but that whole 45 team needs to be shaken up, starting with the driver.

It's seems pretty likely that he'll be outside the top 35, but don't forget that 3 cars within the top 35 are MWR cars and could easily have one bad qualifying lap and miss one of the next 3 races. I kind of hop Petty isn't in the top 35, because he's clearly reached the end part of his career and that team has been riding mediocrity for a long time. I would prefer for a rising team and driver, like Reutimann, Mears, Hamlin, Blaney, to be in the top 35.

The team is called Petty Enterprises for a reason, and it's Kyle call when he should get out of the car.

That being said, I hope he's willing to live with the consequences when the 45 drops like a brick down the standings when he starts missing races and whoever replaces him has to fret and worry about making each race after Kyle has squandered the privelidge they've had over the past couple of seasons of being in the top 35 in owners points. And barely at that.

It's very frustrating to see these legendary teams continue to shoot themselves in the foot. At this point they may as well just close shop and be done with it if they aren't willing to everything that's necessary to catch up. It's not the freaking 60's and 70's anymore!

Good ridance

Lion-Heart - 29 February 2008 06:31 PM

Good ridance

??? what we have here is a lack of respect...Kyle's a person carrying a lot of baggage because of his last name, and the loss of his son on a track...for several years he was a perrenial top 10 points runner...3 straight 5ths if I recall...he has overwhelmingly earned the right to say when he wants to stop racing...and people who have your response should be ashamed...he's not a laughable clown like 0 - 4 - 462 waltrip...he brings good will to every function he takes on...why be a very small person about it???shameful...it's your opinion, I guess, but I find it shameful...rf

17isdewalt - 01 March 2008 04:27 PM

Lion-Heart - 29 February 2008 06:31 PM

Good ridance

??? what we have here is a lack of respect...Kyle's a person carrying a lot of baggage because of his last name, and the loss of his son on a track...for several years he was a perrenial top 10 points runner...3 straight 5ths if I recall...he has overwhelmingly earned the right to say when he wants to stop racing...and people who have your response should be ashamed...he's not a laughable clown like 0 - 4 - 462 waltrip...he brings good will to every function he takes on...why be a very small person about it???shameful...it's your opinion, I guess, but I find it shameful...rf

Sure, what ever you say buddy.

17isdewalt - 01 March 2008 04:27 PM

...he has overwhelmingly earned the right to say when he wants to stop racing...

As has been pointed out, his last name's on the race shop. Earned it or not, he has the "right" to do whatever he wants. I can't speak for anyone else, but what I find so distressing is that on one hand he seems to be willing to consider stepping out of the 45, but the reality of actually doing it...? What is he waiting for?? The 45 team is currently in a situation where they may not be able to get into the top 35 in the next few weeks, and if that happens.... I don't think there are many race fans who would be happy with the demise of Petty Enterprises, although more and more it seems that it might be the inevitable outcome of the current competitive environment in NASCAR and the Petty's refusal to acknowledge the reality of that climate.

Perhaps part of the reason Bobby Labonte's name has been in the rumor mill is because he doesn't have a lot of confidence that he'll have a ride in another year or two.

I think hes a great guy, but sadly the odds are completely against him.

Kyle just needs to step out of the car and let a driver that can compete for something take over.

At this point, it is pretty unlikely. Tomorrow will give pretty much the complete answer. If he doesn't finish top 25, it is unlikely he would make up enough points to make up the difference, unless everyone in front of him suddenly decided to stay home. He has to make up 28 points to catch up to the current 35th, and ther eare 4 or 5 other teams in front of him who are trying to do the same. His only saving grace for the moment is that he is in the first 5 races, so he has a little better chance than some of the other teams do. But with all of the MWR cars doing much better so far this year, all top 30 at this point, it means that at least 3 cars from the top35 from last year are out, plus the whole Hornish deal which means that Kurt Busch will end up in the top 35, so now that is 4 spots taken out.

Like I said, if he doesn't turn it up in Vegas (and his speeds are so far not promising) or unless there is a huge wreck that takes out 10-15 cars, he isn't looking good. If he falls much further behind 35th place, it's going to take some seriously good luck to pull it back. If he does fall out, I think that you will see Kyle out of the car for good before the season is half over. It's always sad to see someone sort of fade out like this.

Look at the bright side, he fell out a few years ago. And when he was out, he was real fast on fridays

I wonder if the 43 and 45 will swap points.....