Talkin’ ‘Bout Teams: RPM- Does The Petty/Gillett Merge Change Anything?

Richard Petty and George Gillett. It looks like a good match on paper; mirroring what is often seen in the business world. With one partner, 7-time champion Richard Petty, you get a good “front man”- a guy who looks good at public appearances and does a good job pressing the flesh. Then there’s the “money man”- sometimes a “silent partner.” In this shotgun marriage, George Gillett plays the part as the one providing the business sense to keep the cash coming in and just dealing with all that financial crap that’s really no fun….unless you’re Rick Hendrick or Jack Roush.

At first glance, this looks like a match made in Heaven. Petty keeps the family name involved in the sport that’s been a part of  NASCAR since its founding. Gillett gets a guy willing to mix it up with the common people and to some degree foster a less cold, corporate image.

In the midst of the dizzying array of changes has been the departure of several high profile personnel. Bobby Labonte and Kyle Petty will ply their trade elsewhere. Gillett’s original partner Ray Evernham is gone from the picture, and he will now focus his effort on his North Carolina race track.

The question for Richard Petty Motorsports for 2009 is one of whether or not the overhaul will result in improved performance- the real measure of success. In terms of being competitive, Petty Enterprises fell off the lead lap several years ago, and in spite of a number of hires designed to improve their fortunes- nothing ever really panned out. Case in point?  John Andretti was the last PE driver to visit victory lane nearly 10 year ago! Poor Kyle- he hadn’t won since the Bronze Age! It is a commonly held belief that 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte still has the chops to win, but let’s face it, he got nowhere near checkered flag racing in the fame #43.

The fact that Ray Evernham was hanging out in the broadcast booth in late 2008 tells you all you need to know about his waning passion for ownership. To be sure, Evernham was a master technician and brilliant race strategist for Jeff Gordon back in the 90’s, but it’s obvious that on  the business side of things, Evernham was as lost as Larry The Cable Guy at the Metropolitan Opera. Both organizations needed change, and they’ve addressed it.

Now- will this change offer anything meaningful? Watch Kasey Kahne for your answer. A pair of mid-season wins, plus a stellar All-Star win speaks to his underrated skill- something that gets taken for granted with his teen idol status. Kahne may have missed the Chase, but much of that can be blamed on mechanical failures and equipment that was not on a par with the likes of Hendrick, Roush, Gibbs or Childress. If Kahne starts winning and performing consistently with a car he’s not fighting every week, the forces behind this merger will have been vindicated.

Kahne is RPM’s best shot at significance in 2009. While a fan favorite, Elliott Sadler has collected the victor’s spoils since his days at Yates. Sadler sure had some flashes of being racey last season, but I’m just not sure this merge will suddenly make the #19 competitive.

By the same token, Sadler will be eager to justify his spot in the shop. Never underestimate the power of hunger, especially if your car is anywhere near decent.

Reed Sorenson will hop into the #43 ride. When comparing Sorenson’s track record to that of other guys who broke around 2006, the Georgian has shown the least amount of  progress. Martin Truex made the 2007 Chase, Denny Hamlin has won races and made the Chase 3 years in a row and Clint Bowyer is a mounting threat. For Sorenson, his bright spot was a 5th place finish at Daytona, with things going down hill from there.

Can Reed Sorenson show the same growth that the sport saw from David Ragan in 2008? In this current competitive climate, Sorenson needs it.

He’s capable, but will he?

A.J. Allmendinger has been passed around more than a bottle of Jim Beam around a bonfire. First, he was Red Bull’s guy for the #84, then he gets benched for Mike Skinner. Then he’s back, and just as soon as he starts to get it going, Red Bull kicks A.J. to the curb in favor of the flavor of the week- Scott Speed. Allmendinger looked good in the #10, he’s told he’ll drive the #19 and then after Elliott Sadler threatens a lawsuit after his release, Sadler is re-instated, and now Allmendinger will drive the #44 on a part-time basis, unless further sponsorship is found.

I like this guy’s fearlessness. He gets a little crazy in traffic, but so did Jeff Gordon. Someone give this guy a chance!!! Next to Kahne, it’s my belief that Allmendinger has the most upside of any driver here not named Kahne- this said with no disrespect meant towards Sadler and Sorenson.

Another key issue for this team is their manufacturer. The performance of Dodge was unable to keep pace with GM, Ford and Toyota. Occasionally, whispers are heard that Dodge will pull the plug on their presence in NASCAR, and that can’t help morale or inspire confidence that the auto maker has any more than token commitment to winning.

There are plenty of questions concerning this organization going into 2009. The answers are yet to come. Several pieces of the puzzle have fit into place, but that critical question of performance nags at the team bearing the name of “The King.” 

PHOTO CREDITS- (Richard Petty by aresauburn, Kahne by clared23, Sadler by SadlerzGrl19, Sorenson by decostaboy4. All their work may be found at flickr.com).