Alot of people have been calling for the retirement of Kyle Petty in the last couple of weeks. While it is true that Kyle is now well out of the top 35 standings, and his race team has struggled to make races, and Kyle is absolutely "Money on the Mic" in terms of his broadcating ability, there are a couple of other points that people just don't take into effect when you talk about Kyle Petty.
1. Although it is a very heart wrenching subject, Kyle keeps racing in the memory of his son. Could you imagine? Your son being touted as the next coming of "The King" winning alot of races in ARCA, and being so immensely talented, and in one instance, he is taken away from you. That would be hard on any parent, loosing a child, even harder when your son had so much to look forward to. Wouldn't you try and keep his memory alive by doing something? And for Kyle that is Racing. Keeping his son's number on the car, and racing it just as he would have, Don't you think, if you were in Kyle's shoes, that you would try and do that?
2. This is a point that hardly anyone really realizes unless you've been following NASCAR for many years like I have, and then it is often overlooked. There has been a Petty in this sport since it was founded. Starting with Lee, then Richard, and now Kyle. But who is behind Kyle? Adam was to be the next great Petty to continue the legacy, but since his untimely and tragic death, the Petty legacy in NASCAR racing would be lost without Kyle. Wouldn't that be a tremendous pressure on you to carry your families legacy on any business, if there were no one else to carry on after you? If you answer honestly and truthfully, I don't think anyone would answer No.
Kyle is only carrying on the family tradition, to quote Hank Williams Jr. He's only doing what he thinks is right, and it will become evident to Kyle that he should step out of the car, his prime is behind him, and he is sitting well into the twilight. But no one should oust him from the car, and people shouldn't pressure the man to quit! Kyle is the only person who will and should be that man!
I haven't been following NASCAR for very long but your blog here stirred my heart because you can obviously feel deeply for someone else. That is a rare quality today in people and you are to be commended for it.
Dont take this the wrong way... K.Petty hasnt done anything in a long time as far as wins and he is joked about quite often and it makes people wonder why he still does it..I actually would love for K.Petty to get another win maybe to silence some of his critics but to claim that the win was for his son would be great..I couldnt imagine anyone having to go through the loss of a child and feel for anyone who has...But sometimes you have to relize your done and need to move on in whatever sport it may be... theres nothing worse than an athelete who refuses to believe its over and continues to embaress him or herself....IMO
Baisden77 - All of those things that you wrote are wonderful tributes to Kyle and the Petty family.
But they're just not good enough reasons for him to drive anymore. He is a back-marker that is doing more damage to the Petty Enterprise reputation than good.
He can still run the company, talk on a microphone and keep the family tradition going. But he needs to hire race car drivers, not family members.
His son's loss was tragic, but it has been almost 8 years now. It is time to move on from the personal grief mission. He can still run the #45 in Adam's memory.
At the end of the day, it is still a business and business dies unless they are successful. That may hurt people's feelings, but it is the truth.
Bais...as the previous comments have mentioned, Kyle is not relevant as a driver, and has become a punch line.
Why not put a competitive driver in the car---and spend some money---and let the wins or top 10 finishes be a tribute to Adam.
The Pettys being in NASCAR since day one is no reason to keep Kyle ham and egging behind the wheel. Bud Moore and Junie Donleavy had also been in NASCAR since day one. They finally had to quit in the last decade. The only difference between them and the Pettys is that those two spent all their money in racing. The Pettys are in no danger of spending any of theirs.
You definitely make good points here Baisden but I have to agree with the above two commenters. It would be a far better tribute for Petty to get someone in that car that drives like Adam and win rather than crashing out before lap 50 every race. Kyle's best tribute to Adam has been Victory Junction anyway, and far more meaningful than racing.
There are other racing family lines no longer in the sport, like the Allisons for example, due to tragic circumstances...and maybe one day there will not be an Earnhardt on the track. Its just how it goes. I dont think the King is pressuring Kyle to stay in that car...
Kyle has earned the right to go out on his terms...he has alot of qualities that are missing in the sport these days...I say let Kyle run as long as kyle wants!!!
The Petty's are ingrained in the history of auto racing, not just NASCAR. There's nothing left to prove.
When I think of all the young drivers that are just hoping for a chance, it makes good sense to me that the Petty's take the time and come up with a deserving driver. Lend him or her their wisdom and get that car out on the track with winning in mind.
While there are great points given, especially the Victory Junction Gang, My point is and still remains that Kyle should be able to go out on his own terms!
I feel Kyle has the right to stay in the family car as long as he wants. That said he has become a field filler. If he is content with that so be it. I belive his calling is in the broadcast booth. I love to hear his point on commentary, he knows what he is talking about and say's it in a interesting way. Victory Junction is the best tribute for Adam and will keep him in our hearts.
