Post by labontefanboy on Dec 30, 2013 17:16:29 GMT -5
Petty sticking with Dodge for foreseeable future
In an interview this weekend from Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR Scene's Steve Waid sat down with 7-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Richard Petty to discuss the state of the sport.
SW: Richard, we're only 5 races into the season, but I'd like to ask you how you think this season is going relative to the previous couple.
RP: Well, ya know, fans these days ain't quite like the fans of my day. With the exception of last week out in Sonoma, we've obviously had very few yellows and I think the fans aren't too thrilled about that *laughs*. But in terms of on track racin' I think it's as good as last year and a bit better. The 500 was a classic just as it has always been and Cali and Vegas were quite a show too. Really the best parts have been the stuff that they don't necessarily show on TV, the strategy of them pit crews and takin' 4 versus 2 tires. As a fan of the sport I've been entertained and that's about all I can say.
SW: Do you think the racing will drop off as the season winds down and teams begin preparing for the Car of Tomorrow in 2008?
RP: Oh man, no way! That's what's great about the Chase. I know lots of them hardcore fans, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, think the Chase doesn't reward the true champion. That's a fair debate, but what it does do is produce a lot of drama and strategy. Now the top-tier teams like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth are preparing all season for the Chase. People like to say that the person who scores the most points all year should be champ but people don't understand that they ain't racin' the same when they're racin' just to get into the Chase. If you're 2nd in points and locked into the Chase with 3 races left you ain't gonna points race now you gonna race for trophies, and that's where people are goin' wrong. So no, I don't think there'll be any kind of drop-off near the end of the season.
SW: Let me ask you a couple questions about your team. How are you specifically preparing for the introduction of the COT next year?
RP: That's a good one *laughs*. In all honesty we haven't started buildin' nothing for next season yet. We've still got a long ways to go here in 2007, and our testing is still focused on this season. Dave's had a great start and our focus is to build on that and keep him up where he is in the points.
SW: Will Dave be back next season? And what's the status of the 45 team?
RP: I can confirm that Dave is here with us one more year with Cheerio's. Both have a contract through next season and all parties involved intend to stay true to it. As for the 45 team we ain't sure what we're gonna do with it just yet. Kyle won't be driving after this season, he's ready to focus on Victory Junction Gang stuff. Wells Fargo is still signed with us through 2009 so we're gonna do all we can to make sure the 45 stays on the track in some capacity but without owners points it's not easy. I can also let you in on a little secret that ain't really no secret, it's that we're staying with Dodge. We ain't makin' no official announcement so I figure I might as well start lettin' people know. We'll be with them for the foreseeable future, but I can't quite let you know all the gory details of the contract without gettin' all them people up in Detroit in a fit *laughs*.
(SceneDaily) (3/31/07)
In an interview this weekend from Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR Scene's Steve Waid sat down with 7-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Richard Petty to discuss the state of the sport.
SW: Richard, we're only 5 races into the season, but I'd like to ask you how you think this season is going relative to the previous couple.
RP: Well, ya know, fans these days ain't quite like the fans of my day. With the exception of last week out in Sonoma, we've obviously had very few yellows and I think the fans aren't too thrilled about that *laughs*. But in terms of on track racin' I think it's as good as last year and a bit better. The 500 was a classic just as it has always been and Cali and Vegas were quite a show too. Really the best parts have been the stuff that they don't necessarily show on TV, the strategy of them pit crews and takin' 4 versus 2 tires. As a fan of the sport I've been entertained and that's about all I can say.
SW: Do you think the racing will drop off as the season winds down and teams begin preparing for the Car of Tomorrow in 2008?
RP: Oh man, no way! That's what's great about the Chase. I know lots of them hardcore fans, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, think the Chase doesn't reward the true champion. That's a fair debate, but what it does do is produce a lot of drama and strategy. Now the top-tier teams like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth are preparing all season for the Chase. People like to say that the person who scores the most points all year should be champ but people don't understand that they ain't racin' the same when they're racin' just to get into the Chase. If you're 2nd in points and locked into the Chase with 3 races left you ain't gonna points race now you gonna race for trophies, and that's where people are goin' wrong. So no, I don't think there'll be any kind of drop-off near the end of the season.
SW: Let me ask you a couple questions about your team. How are you specifically preparing for the introduction of the COT next year?
RP: That's a good one *laughs*. In all honesty we haven't started buildin' nothing for next season yet. We've still got a long ways to go here in 2007, and our testing is still focused on this season. Dave's had a great start and our focus is to build on that and keep him up where he is in the points.
SW: Will Dave be back next season? And what's the status of the 45 team?
RP: I can confirm that Dave is here with us one more year with Cheerio's. Both have a contract through next season and all parties involved intend to stay true to it. As for the 45 team we ain't sure what we're gonna do with it just yet. Kyle won't be driving after this season, he's ready to focus on Victory Junction Gang stuff. Wells Fargo is still signed with us through 2009 so we're gonna do all we can to make sure the 45 stays on the track in some capacity but without owners points it's not easy. I can also let you in on a little secret that ain't really no secret, it's that we're staying with Dodge. We ain't makin' no official announcement so I figure I might as well start lettin' people know. We'll be with them for the foreseeable future, but I can't quite let you know all the gory details of the contract without gettin' all them people up in Detroit in a fit *laughs*.
(SceneDaily) (3/31/07)
