Holy jumpin’ flowcharts, Batman! Back in the day, I used to sell advertising. One telltale sign a business was in trouble was when they would go through multiple moves and organizational re-inventions to try to turn things around. It’s one thing to have numerous driver changes; that’s happening everywhere. But look at this team, the list of former managers, drivers AND owners cast off in the ditch would comprise the makings of an all-star team.
I won’t even take the time to sort it out. You serious fans are all up on the organization that has pieces and parts of Petty Enterprises, Evernham Racing, Gillett- Evernham Racing and now, Yates Racing- ally of Roush Fenway has joined the fray. Oh, and let us not forget- this team has switched from Dodge to Ford.
The good news is, there’s some talent here. Kasey Kahne re
-established himself with a very solid 2009 performance, getting “The King” in Victory Lane for the first time since 1999. That this happened at a road course (Sonoma) for Kahne, speaks volumes about his progress as a driver.
The bad news is Kahne has his eye on the back door. Rumors have Kahne as a leading candidate to take a third ride one day at Stewart- Haas Racing, and with his boy-next-door persona, the highly marketable driver could just about go anywhere he wanted.
Of course, it helps to back up your matinee idol image with a few wins. The question is one of whether or not Kahne can follow a good 2009 with a strong follow up, considering the turmoil. If it goes well, heck, maybe he stays, or least he lays the foundation for a big payday with another team. Kahne then is in the catbird seat to pretty much do whatever he wants. If it goes badly, he’s gone for sure, and he goes somewhere new with questions hanging over his head.
A.J. Allmendinger will now assume the most famous number in NASCAR this side of the number 3. Allmendinger broke free of the ulcer-inducing “go or go homer” status, and really contended for a couple of races in 2009. Among NASCAR’s lesser lights, Allmendinger tops most lists of winless driver of whom much potential is envisioned. Of course, the problem with potential is, in sports parlance, it’s code for “hasn’t done it yet.” But once again, if you subscribe to a “three-year rule” for development, then A.J. is just getting there.
Speaking of popular, but less accomplished drivers, Elliott Sadler has managed to avoid the same soap opera of the previous off-season, where he pretty much sued his way back into the “19” ride RPM wanted to give Allmendinger.
One of the most sad scenes of 2009, was watching Sadler lead the
Daytona 500, only to just miss it in one of the more classic examples of bad luck. In a way, it seemed like he never recovered from that near miss. This owner of three Cup career wins just keeps chugging along, parlaying a sunny personality, the most novel accent this side of Ward Burton and a certain camera friendliness into NASCAR survival.
Allied with Richard Petty Motorsports is Yates Racing. If there’s been any organization who could rival RPM for ever-constant change, it would be Yates. It seems like a million years ago since the days of Dale Jarrett. They’ve allied with Jack Roush (what a daisy chain this things is) , they’ve absorbed Hall of Fame Racing, and there’s been a veritable revolving door of door of drivers.
Paul Menard is back for another year of piloting the “98.” It’s a good thing his car is usually a bright yellow, or it would be easy to forget he’s out there. As the son of one of the most successful businessmen in the northern Midwest, Menard comes with a built-in sponsor- something that doesn’t go over well with critics. Hey- it beats digging ditches.
It was rumored that Menard’s was shopping the sponsorship elsewhere before settling in once again with Yates, a sure sign Menard wants more than an “also ran” tag. In his defense, he’s never been in the most favorable situation, and quite frankly, not everyone can win. You just get the feeling that if there aren’t some signs of progress in 2010, it may force a re-thinking of the Wisconsin native’s potential.
It’s a sad state of affairs for the organization bearing the name of a man known as “The King.” In truth, Petty is more of an ambassador and something of a coach, more than he is an owner. Conventional wisdom holds that George Gillett is the money behind this outfit, and one sometimes gets the feeling his learning curve is steep. Apparently he had never heard the adage, “if you want to make a small fortune in NASCAR, you must first have a big one.” Or as someone else put it, if you do all your shopping at the bargain basement, that where you end up….the basement.”
PHOTO CREDITS- Richard Petty courtesy of Getty Images. Kasey Kahne by Sam Greenwood/ NASCAR media. A. J. Allmendinger by PT1278,and Paul Menard by Walter G. Arce courtesy of flickr.com.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Kasey:waiting for next seat.A.J.:a houseful of potential and can push the button. Sadler: close your mouth and get a game face on and keep it on,just quit talking and take this business seriously or quit DO IT NOW!!!Menard:needs a good coach to keep him in the game ,don,t think ,let your spotter and crew chief tell you what to do if it takes every lap listen or park it.Just my opinion…
You said Richard Petty was little more than a ambassitor!
I dont think so, he might not have the most money in the operation! But last year he was certainly more hands on with this operation! Even when Kyle Petty ran Petty Enterprises you would see little of Richard!
Last year Richard and Dale Inman would be at the test, I remember they were at the ‘little Rock” doing test last winter together! Richard seem to be more hands on with the operation that in past years!He was at most races and test! When the Sadler thing fell through Richard said he would sponsor him on his own dime for awhile!
So mabe he has a bigger part than you realize!
@Charles. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that Richard Petty is an absentee owner. I think his influence on the young guys has been positive. But you and I both know George Gillett is pulling the purse strings and things have been a bit chaotic (check out Mc Ardle’s comments on the deal). Kahne’s restlessness is no good sign either. My own opinion is if Petty has more say, the place is being run better.
So its daytona time again,I guess if the 19 or 43 runs better than kahne at daytona everything is pettys fault bc prized kahnes ego is so big and brings a negative vibe to the whole company.ford is the best thing that could happen to rpm,dodge is on its way out of nascar anyways as soon as all contracts are up,of course they aren’t gnna admit it!!richard petty is a great face for nascar,who cares how much he controls!!he’s still at the track when all other drivers in his era are barely walking!a.j. has potential sadler has a lot to re establish and lets face it menard needs to start over and relearn the sport.on the other hand kahne would never return to dodge(srry fans) bc dodge already has a driver who complains one week and is happy the next.#2.I look for kahne to drive for RCR in 2011 in the #30 with budweiser ,and kenny francis gets held at RPM and promoted to team manager