Kyle Petty made his last start at the Coca Cola 600 in May. Since then, Kyle has been serving as a broadcast analyst for TNT during their portion of the summer schedule. He then lead a field of motorcycle riders on his annual ride to benefit Victory Junction Gang and other charities.
Terry Labonte has driven the #45 during this time. Labonte has another commitment to run at Pocono, so Petty Enterprises will call on Chad McCumbie to take the wheel. Kyle Petty is scheduled to return to the wheel at Watkins Glen and then Terry Labonte will be back for the second Michigan race.
Every effort is being made to get the #45 into the top 35 in owner points. By running Terry Labonte, the #45 has the first opportunity to use a past champion provisional in order to make the race. That is how the #45 made the show at Indy.
Chad McCumbie has not run Pocono in a cup car, but has a win in the Arca ReMax Series at the 3 cornered track.
The fact that Kyle is stepping back from running the #45 could signal that he may be ready to give up the seat in favor of a younger talent for the good of the future of Petty Enterprises. Grumpy thinks that would be a great move for the future of Petty Enterprises as they move forward into a new era of being investor owned. There has been no indication so far of a potential sponsor for the flagship #43. That team is losing its longtime partnership with General Mills at the conclusion of the ‘08 season. Driver, Bobby Labonte has staked his future with the Pettys as he signed a 3 year extension to remain in the #43. Bobby seems confident that a new sponsor will be signed for the ‘09 season and beyond.
Kyle Petty’s career as a driver in the cup series has be less than stellar. His last win came at Dover in the spring of ‘95 I think. He was driving the #42 Coors Light Pontiac owned then by Felix Sabates. Unlike the other Kyle, Petty is a fan favorite despite his lack of recent success. His efforts in charity work as well as a regular on SPEED TV and TNT have been great stuff. It must be difficult standing in the shadow of the King, Richard Petty.
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