Smack: Race to the Chase down to haves, have nots (cont'd)

2. Richard Petty says "all options" are open as to what manufacturer Richard Petty Motorsports will partner with for 2010 and beyond. If you're the King, do you leave Dodge?

Joe Menzer: Listen, the King has been more loyal to Dodge than anyone. But if they're not sending him checks that they promised and he's counting on that money to keep the operation up and running -- not to mention competitive -- the man has to do whatever he's got to do.

Raygan Swan: You know this situation reminds me of all the auto workers in Kokomo, Ind., waiting to be called back to the transmission plants. Do I wait, or go take a job somewhere else in town? If you have a family to feed or in Petty's case a team to run, you can't afford to wait for Chrysler and Dodge to heal.

David Caraviello: I'm not sure yet. How much of the issues we've seen at RPM have to do with Dodge, and how many of them have to do with RPM? I mean, if Dodge is withholding support, how come we don't see Penske in the same situation? I'm not sure if it's the manufacturer, or the way the team is using what it gets from the manufacturer.

Looking, listening

Richard Petty Motorsports will explore "all options" as to what type of car manufacturer the NASCAR organization will partner with in the future.

• Complete story, click here
• Sound Off: Petty addresses

Raygan Swan: That was my next question David, why isn't Penske struggling as well? I think maybe RPM bit off more than it could chew taking on four teams.

Joe Menzer: I'll tell you why we don't see the same problems at Penske. They've got more money and far more resources. They don't rely on the Dodge money nearly as much as RPM does. I think it's that simple.

David Caraviello: But that said, RPM is completely within their rights to move on and seek help somewhere else after their current contract expires. But where do they go? Can GM or Ford afford to add another team? Would Toyota, which has a decent-sized stable as it is, even want them?

Raygan Swan: I think Toyota is interested. What about the Braun Racing arrangement with Kahne and Elliott Sadler. Aren't they running some Nationwide races in Toyota machines? And Joe, Penske and RPM both have beer money.

Joe Menzer: Don't kid yourself. They may not be talking yet. But Toyota would have a great interest, I would think, in working something with RPM if the Dodge deal falls through. But if I'm Dodge, despite their troubles, I try to take care of the King.

David Caraviello: So Joe, you think it's an allocation issue at RPM. How they use it. Might be, given, as Raygan pointed out, they're trying to run four cars on stretched-thin sponsorship. Yes, they have beer money, but beer money is about all they have.

Joe Menzer: What I'm saying about Penske is that the guy over there is running a freakin' automobile empire -- like Hendrick. Those guys can move money from one resource to another as needed to stay competitive. RPM does not have that luxury. I mean, for goodness sakes, Penske just bought Saturn, right? And for anyone who has ever been to his "dealership" in Scottsdale, Ariz., you know this guy is dealing on a different level.

David Caraviello: What? It doesn't look like the original Petty shop in Level Cross?

Joe Menzer: I put "dealership" in quotes in my previous remark because it was unbelievable. It was like 10 dealerships in one -- and all high-end stuff like Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, Mini Cooper, Land Rovers ... even a few Ferraris and Maseratis, etc., if I recall correctly. Plus, you have to look at the stability factor. RPM essentially is just getting its sea legs. It's neither the former Petty Enterprises when that organization was a force, nor is it completely the former Evernham Motorsports. It's essentially a new operation.

Raygan Swan: I tend to agree with Joe a bit on the management of RPM. I feel they lack leadership and true direction

David Caraviello: Raygan, who is calling the shots at RPM these days? Tom Reddin, the former CEO, is gone. Is it Robbie Loomis? Is it Mark McArdle? Is it Foster Gillett? Is it George Gillett? My guess would be George, but he has quite a number of other things on his plate as well.

Raygan Swan: It's Ray Evernham, the talking head from the booth!

David Caraviello: Hey, they could do worse.

Joe Menzer: Say whatever you will about Penske, but they have been pretty stable. And their shop is impressive as well. They have all the tools they need, plus, I believe, all the cash they need.

David Caraviello: Joe, when did you become the world's biggest Penske fan? You're usually bashing him for having all those resources and that huge shop and nothing to show for it!

Raygan Swan: I didn't want to say anything ... but Joe, are looking to get a new Saturn out of this or what?

Joe Menzer: Penske should be accomplishing more. But comparing their situation with Dodge to RPM's is like comparing a Hyundai dealership to a Mercedes dealer.

David Caraviello: I need to check the dealership logo on the back of Joe's Grand Caravan.

Joe Menzer: That's the 17-year-old's now. I'm driving the other mini-van -- a Ford Windstar, my friends. You can imagine how proud my son is to be the pilot of a Dodge mini-van with 145,000 miles on it!

Raygan Swan: I've seen it. It's a mean machine, David.

David Caraviello: Is that the one with the squeaky belts? That kid is so going to be the king of his high school! (Continued)