Subsequent to the news of the loss of General
Mills as a sponsor on his car, Bobby Labonte commented on his plans. “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,”
said Labonte. “I feel good about all the positive steps that Petty Enterprises has made and continues to make.”
So where does this leave Petty
Enterprises? They know they are losing the major sponsor on their best team and they may lose their best driver if Labonte,
the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion decides to take his champion’s provisional to the new RCR team.
“I am proud of our organization‘s
rich tradition,” said Richard Petty "We will look at bringing in fresh resources and new partners as a real opportunity
to further grow and improve the Petty organization. Especially those who share in the same core values of integrity, dedication
and winning that have come to define Petty Enterprises.”
Smaller teams like the Petty’s
have struggled to keep up with the larger teams and sponsorships are crucial to their success. The Petty’s have not
been nearly as competitive as today’s best teams since the heyday of Richard Petty, who won a record 200 races in his
illustrious career. Along with his father Lee Petty, the Petty’s have been the backbone of the sport and synonymous
with rise in popularity and success of NASCAR. However their most recent performance has been in decline. Kyle Petty’s
average starting position in the last five years has been no better than 31st and his average finish has been no better than
24.5. His average finish this year for five races is 36.2 and he was too slow to qualify at Martinsville.
2006 StockCar Review.
