New Driver for the #43

[BillyBob]

Andretti is out, Fittipaldi is in.....

[Chargerdude]

well, Andretti was a nice enough guy, I feel for him, but a few big changes are needed very badly at Petty Enterprises.

[dwc43]

I agree. They should have come up off that wallet and not let Bobby Hamilton get away when they had him out there winning. Matter of fact they should come off that wallet and go get him back now. And Keep Emerson too. He needs more practice.

[Mopar Man]

I'm not convinced that Andretti was the main problem. It looks like the equipment they show up at the track with is lacking.

[cudacarl]

You can put the best driver in the worst car and he has no shot, but the worst of the 43 drivers in the best car has a real shot.

[dwc43]

I'll agree with that CudaCarl. But Petty's rides cant be that bad. We've all seen Andretti up front and run in the top 10 some and qualify in the teens. Now I admitt that aint reall good but it aint last place everyweek like some are. I also think it's mostly Kyles fault since he is running the show mostly. I think Richard was always the one with the best head on his shoulders. Just look what he accomplished when he ran it until age and injuries finally caught up to him.

[cudacarl]

I saw an interview last night with andretti. Darrel Waltrip asked him what was wrong and who should go. Andretti wouldn't elaborate too much but his gestures seemed to point to Kyle.

[dwc43]

See. I kinda agree. Besides He's what now 46 or so. I mean look at DJ his performance has went down with age too. That's just part of life as we age the old reflexes slow. So there is a time to get out of one of these things.

[Chargerdude]

I don't know guys, I mean, I agree with you, but ole DW was content with being mediocre for like eight years before he decided to hang it up. I'd like to see Kyle do the team, the sponsor, and the fans a service and get out of that car, but if the sponsor keeps paying, and he's probably loving every minute of driving, I can't say I blame him. You'd have to pry me out of that seat!!!

[Nightri1]

If that's the best idea that Petty Enterprises can come up with, then they need help. Sounds as typical as some of the corporate decisions I've seen made this year! If PEI wants new blood then wipe out all the old, i.e. Kyle included! Put in a couple of new young guys and try to catch up with Rousch, Hendrick and the likes. Qualifying with provisionals all season long is disgusting at best! While Kyle has been cruising around for the last 10 years several other owners have been employing new talent and weeding out the lame. PEI is so far behind in driver developement I doubt if they will be able to catch up in the next ten years. Again, don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of PEI, but they have been wasting time, money and energy since Richard quit racing. And yes, even though DW was a lame driver in his last years, he OWNED the team and that is his check to write.

[cudacarl]

When i said that andretti gestured that kyle needs to go i meant running the business not as a driver. Although he is up there in age and doesn't seem to have the fire for it like in the past. its proven that you can't do both 100%.They could have let andretti go in a much better way than they did. I just don't think Kyle is the right guy to run things.

[dwc43]

I agree. One of the best examples of you cant race and run the biz too was Allison. Bobby bankrupted every time he tried to own and race a team. He was a good friver, but not a bix man. Kyle is not a biz man either.

[mastrdrver]

I think Kyle hasnt done good since his son, Adam, got killed it that crash. When he does do good he seems to get involved in some crash.