Petty excited about analyst work, even after strong run (cont'd)

After the race at Dover, Kyle makes the transition from driver to race analyst. We've had a couple of rehearsals at the track and LOTS of meetings. I don't know how Kyle feels about it, but Wally just loves meetings, especially those first thing in the morning. But for once, it's not about Wally.

"I really am looking forward to it," Kyle said. I could hear the enthusiasm in his voice.

"I did an interview with Richard Petty the other day. I'm doing another one with David Pearson. I was excited about interviewing Richard Petty. I didn't know what to anticipate. I was nervous. I'm a nervous wreck about interviewing David Pearson. But you've got to challenge yourself, not always physically, but mentally as well. The booth will be a different challenge."

You bet it will, especially the booth at, oh, never mind. But how does a driver still driving most of the time take on the role as analyst?

"You know, when you're 'in' the sport, and everyone is complaining about this or that, you have a tendency to complain too because you are in the middle of it," Petty said. "People not in the middle of it seem to have a picture that is 180 degrees different. I'm going to try and see that view. I probably won't make it to 180 degrees, but hopefully I can get to 90 degrees."

Petty knows the importance placed on being in the booth. He knows people are always listening.

"I am going to try really hard at this," he said. "My heart is still in the racecar riding around in circles, but I have been following the stories more closely, like Junior and listening to how the fans react to different issues."

Early in the year I talked with Kyle about the outlook for Petty Enterprises in 2007. As I recall, he told me he expected Bobby Labonte to win this season.

"I do believe Bobby Labonte can win a race, he could have last year," Petty said. "I thought he would win a race last year. There were five or six times we could have had a strong finish. This year we have had some good, strong runs. We've taken him out of a few races and he has taken himself out of a few races. When you have a night like we had [Sunday] night, we feel we can win races. We have to get him to a position where he can run consistently up front. We have to get him into a position where he can be like [Jeff] Gordon, [Matt] Kenseth, the 48 [Jimmie Johnson] and those guys because the way to win is be there every race, not just one race. If you're there for 36 races you give yourself a chance. If you're there only once in 36 races it would be like trying to win the lottery. Not that one night it can't happen."

Or one day. And here is the next question: What if that day happens while Kyle is hanging out with us in the booth. Will he be watching the 43 and the 45 cars?

"Good question. You keep you're eye on 'em," Petty said.

"When I'm standing up there, we're really watching the monitor most of the time. If there's a caution I'll probably look for the 43 car. But that's what I do on the track. Hey, those are our cars, I want to know what they're doing so I try to keep up with them when I'm in the race, too. So yeah, I'll look for them, look for the 43 and the 45, see how they're doing, but hopefully people won't notice and I won't treat them different than the other cars."

I'm looking forward to working with Kyle. We have worked together in the past on a couple of projects, including the pre-race show a few years back on, as they say, another network.

But I am also looking forward to the continuing climb of Petty Enterprises, and the long-awaited return to Victory Lane. And when our six races are over, I'll watch intently as Kyle Petty climbs back behind the wheel.

"You know, when I was hurt in '91 and had to sit out a few races and then I came back, I had a different appreciation for what we do," Kyle told me.

"You understand just how special it is to be one of just 43 guys going in a circle. It's pretty cool, whether you're first or dead last, to know you're on the same grid with Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, champions of the sport.

"To stay away from it for five or six races, I'm sure I will have a little greater appreciation for what we do."

And so will we.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.