I'm not a NASCAR fan, I'll watch the Daytona and maybe a couple ends of races elsewhere...but I've always been dumbfounded why Kyle Petty is always qualifying and racing but can barely ever even scrap together a decent finish in an entire year. Is he a bad driver? Does he have a bad car? What's the deal?
2007-02-20 15:51:51 · 31 answers · asked by philsites 1 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
Kyle is one of my favorite drivers, but he never really seemed as determined (or as talented) as his father. Petty enterprises has been run down for years and he has done a decent job of running it and trying to get it back into contention. But with the sever wreck he had several years ag and the death of Adam, he hasn't been the same. Plus - out of his 8 wins, none of them came while driving for Petty Enterprises. He's ready to step down from driving, this year he will set out 5 races and work in the announcers booth while he grooms someone new to take his place. . but he said he probably would continue to race from time to time for another few years.
If names meant more, then John Andretti and Kerry Earnhardt could have been huge...
2007-02-20 19:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by Mister Heckles 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Let's get a couple of things straight here. Richard Petty was a great driver but NOT near as good as his stats might indicate. "The King" was one of the biggest cheaters in the history of NASCAR. Not that other people didn't as well, but Richard took it to another level. In the Petty family, apparently the driving ability gene skips a year (like you see with color blindness and many other hereditary traits). Adam Petty, Kyle's son, was a very good race car driver and would no doubt be winning a few races right now if he hadn't been killed. Kyle has never been very good but that is not entirely his fault. Richard had so much success when he raced that he never changed with the technology and evolution of the cars. He could always get by when he raced and thought that his name would carry Petty Enterprises. Only now are they starting to catch up with the mega teams of Roush, Hendrick etc., but are still light years behind. If They (Petty Enterprises) are serious about being legitimate contenders they need to keep bringing in smart people like Robbie Loomis and talented drivers like Bobby Labonte and they might have a chance at limited success. Kyle needs to concentrate on Victory Junction Camp and the team. He should really give up his seat to someone more deserving or that at least has some potential/ability.
2007-02-21 11:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by Tregosteevo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because he is too busy running Petty Enterprises. Kyle wasn't that good of a driver until he left the family business that's when he won races. Now that he is back with Petty Enterprises he doesn't have time to focus on being a driver.
LET THIS BE A WARNING TO ALL THE JR FANS because his step mom isn't that far off when she said that Dale Jr needs to decide if he is going to be a driver or a publicity person...or however she phrased it. Go to NASCAR.com and look for the interview from Kyle Petty where he suggest to Jr that he stay with being a racer first and an owner second.
2007-02-21 13:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by You cant handle the truth 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Petty is a name that is in all ways NASCAR.Kyle petty is a good driver but the sponsorship needed is not always there.When it is not the quaility of equipment is not championship caliber.
Petty is still a top 20 driver and is capable of winning and has had some very good runs the past season.
Look for him to find a driver in the next couple of years to take over the 45 car.
Also since Adam Petty died in the practice in New Hampshire several years ago it has been very hard for Kyle to totally be on top of his game.
2007-02-21 08:42:31 · answer #4 · answered by blakree 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish Kyle could put together a better team. But you also have to look at his teammate, Bobby Labonte. Both are talented drivers but can't seem to get to the front so the answer to you question must be the team he works for. I've always like Kyle even back to the days for that great looking 42 Mellow Yellow car.
Until Petty as a whole gets a better organization, I'm afraid Kyle will have to settle for 35th in owner points.
2007-02-21 10:11:50 · answer #5 · answered by RCandMoonPie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kyle does so much for this sport thru his foundation the Victory Junction Gang. The money that he raises through the awareness of Nascar fans is phenominal. Now he will move on to commentating and will still be able to keep the corelation of Nascar and Victory Junction through his commentating.
My only hope is that Petty enterprises will bring in some new fresh driver with a little bit of spunk and a lot of desire to win. It would be nice to see them run in the top 10 again, they really do deserve it!
2007-02-21 08:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by swimmingwiz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How come Dale Jr can't win the Points Championship? Same kind of logic really. I know he is better then Kyle Petty but you see what I am getting at. The name doesn't make the driver. Seriously I don't get it with Kyle Petty either.
2007-02-21 13:59:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He really at this point is only racing for his charities, and to rebuild Petty Enterprises. He is a good driver, but Petty technology has been behind for around 10 years or longer. I think he will stop driving in a few years, and concern himself more with running the team.
2007-02-21 10:01:07 · answer #8 · answered by Kenneth W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kyle Petty is not the talented driver Richard was, or even as good as his son. Also there are many very talented drivers on the track. However, wait until a Petty car gets one of these young talented drivers.
2007-02-21 11:27:55 · answer #9 · answered by tarry47 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Petty Enterprises has been struggling to compete the last 5 years because they haven't had great drivers. Labonte coming to drive was a big boost to the organization and it will bring more money. Petty is just getting too old to drive competitively anymore and he is probably going to step out of his ride in the next few years.
2007-02-21 07:17:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋