Track Smack: DEI, Petty face some driver drama (cont'd)

2. Kyle Petty is out of the top 35. Sponsor General Mills is leaving for Richard Childress Racing after this season. Is Petty Enterprises in trouble?

Dave Rodman: It's a step by step, inch by inch deal -- and only time will tell. We have not had a litmus test of the "magic of the 43" for a while.

David Caraviello: Gotta figure this can't be what the organization had in mind when it made the big move to Charlotte before this season. I think they'll find another sponsor -- the King carries that much weight -- but Kyle missing races is worrisome.

The King's castle has hit hard times.

• Head2Head: Petty's time up?
• General Mills moving to RCR
• McCumbee in No. 45 at Texas

Joe Menzer: On the surface, you'd have to say yes. But Petty Enterprises is a different animal than every other racing operation, and should still be attractive to some big-time sponsors because of their history and all that entails. I still think they bring a lot to the table.

Dave Rodman: I do know for the last couple years, there have been a few races were the 45 was scrambling for sponsorship -- so the "magic of the Petty name" -- as powerful as it is; ain't a key to the vault, as it were.

David Caraviello: I don't disagree, Joe. But to see this team take a step forward, then a step back in competition is difficult. Not that the King's name doesn't carry weight, but you had to figure it was only a matter of time before a sponsor sought results.

Joe Menzer: There are many positive things going on in the Petty organization right now -- the move to the new shop, etc. -- but you are right. They need to translate into better results on the track.

Dave Rodman: The somewhat interesting or ominous thing is, now that RC has his cherished fourth team in place, he needs a sponsor for his current "third team" (in number only) -- the 31. That makes you wonder if the driver/sponsor came as a package. I still say Bobby Labonte has been moving it in the right direction -- inch by inch. You got to wonder how his general comfort level in that role stacks up against the length of time he has left in his career.

Joe Menzer: I think everybody wondered that immediately, as far as whether this was a driver/sponsor package. But I believe Richard Childress downplayed that in a conversation with you, DC, right?

David Caraviello: Seems Labonte is not in the 33 mix. Childress said that much yesterday. He would know, given that Bobby runs the Nationwide car part-time for him.

Joe Menzer: Well, that could be a good sign for Petty. Bobby has proven he can be competitive in the 43 for some races. They just need consistency -- lots more of it. And at some point you've got to win another race or two, or you become irrelevant. They've gotten a free pass on that for a while now because of who they are.

Dave Rodman: The fact that we're smacking it around means "the press" might not let it rest, but I hope we do. Bobby is still trying to win races in the 43, and he's got 30 more of them to compete in. At least 30 -- depending on what decision he makes.

Joe Menzer: What do you want to let rest, Roadman? Are you saying we shouldn't discuss this out of respect to the Pettys and Bobby? I don't see the harm in it. Listen, those guys are all some of my favorites. Dale Inman can tell a story with the best of 'em and has always been a huge help to me. But even they know and admit that they need to step up production.

Dave Rodman: No, Joe -- we've discussed it, now I say, let the sleeping Bobby lie until he's ready to talk about it. Don't ask him every week if he's made a decision or if anything is changing -- not that any of US would do that.

Joe Menzer: Well, there is that. But if Bobby truly is going to stay put, then they ought to lock him up sooner rather than later, make an announcement, and be done with it. Otherwise, the questions will inevitably come.

David Caraviello: Yeah, we have eight months until 2009. The question is going to hang in the air until somebody answers it.

Joe Menzer: If they could get Bobby to agree to stay and announce it, that would lessen the blow of this sponsor loss -- and likely also make them more attractive to a replacement sponsor.

David Caraviello: The bigger worry, I would think, is what happens in a few years. Kyle isn't going to drive forever; Richard isn't going to want to come to the track forever. Can they still maintain that Petty aura without any Pettys around?

Joe Menzer: I think you are wrong there, at least on Richard. I think he will want to come to the track for as long as he can walk upright.

David Caraviello: That's good, because they need him. They're leaning on his legacy pretty hard right now. Would be nice to have some results to back him up. But is there a post-Petty plan in place? Is Chad McCumbee the future of Petty Enterprises?

Dave Rodman: Chad is pretty highly thought of, I believe, in the garage. As you know, he tested for Haas CNC earlier this year on the chance they might be able to develop a program for him. He's doing well in Dave Malcolmson's self-sponsored truck -- so there is a lot to be said for that.

Joe Menzer: As for Kyle, isn't he about done driving anyway?

David Caraviello: That's going to be the big question, especially if he continues to struggle to make races, or keeps turning his car over to someone else. (Continued)