On Friday morning, Kyle Petty surprised fans in the infield at Lowes Motor Speedway, showing up with invitations to join him for a few fast laps of the track, compliments of Coca Cola and the Pettys.
Richard Petty is the once and always king. Kyle Petty is the prince. Kyle the good.
Now don't jump down my keyboard. I don't mean to dis Kyle's talent. Kyle is and always has been a respectful representative of his family, team and sport. He has also won eight Cup series races, although it has been a while. Kyle Petty is a good guy. Kyle the good.
Saturday night, the fortunes of auto racing smiled on Petty and a steady, competitive drive all night topped off with a risky call at the end produced a third place finish in the Coke 600. It was the best finish for Kyle in ten years.
Petty has plans to leave the driving to others for five races starting with the June Pocono race. John Andretti and Chad McCumbee will drive.
Kyle will try his hand at broadcasting. With his personality and experience, I think he'll be great. He looks to be setting up to retire from driving, for an organization that is benefiting from the satellite team trend. Scene Daily had this quote.
"I would like to think we're as strong as we have been," he said of the Petty organization. "When you look at what Bobby has done and the amount of laps he's led and the finishes and the amount of times he's got a lap down and made it back up on the race track, that's big. I'd like to think we're getting stronger. I'd like to think six months ago we were stronger than we were six months before that, so yeah, there's not a good time to step out [of the car]."
Maybe the future will give me that Bobby Labonte #43 win that I've pulling for. For this week, the third place for Kyle the good made my weekend.
Picture credit:Coca Cola Company
Kyle is a gentleman!
The what ifs keeps swirling regarding Adam...
I hope the #43 is in victory circle in 2007!
Posted by: vroom | May 29, 2007 at 10:26 PM
The Good for sure. The Victory Junction Gang is an awesome thing and so sad about Adam...there's nothing worse than losing a child. And unfortunatly I can say that with true conviction.
Posted by: michael | May 30, 2007 at 05:33 AM
CONGRATS TO KYLE PETTY! It is great that he got a 3rd place finish in Sundays race.
How cool is it that he went crusin' around campgrounds looking for people to give a ride to. That shows how cool he is.
http://ryannewmanfan.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michael | May 30, 2007 at 07:12 AM
Congrats go out to Kyle for the 3 spot. After talking with John Andretti on Tuesday nights show; he is totally geeked about getting into that car. Charlie and I agree that if all thing were equal, Andretti would rather be behind the wheel of an open wheeler. But, all things aren't equal and if John "HAS" to run a Nextel Cup car, he is more than happy to be driving THIS car. Kyle will be great in the booth. It would be terrific if he can call a 43 or 45 win, while up there.
Posted by: Steve | May 30, 2007 at 04:44 PM