Kyle Petty says he’s not sure about his retirement plans, but he’s still passionate about racing and being competitive.
These quotes came from a SceneDaily article during the 2008 Charlotte Media Tour …
I love to drive a race car, more than anything else. … That’s the part I truly, truly love.
That’s the part that’s going to be the hard part to walk away from. … I don’t know how people walk away from that part. That’s the part I have to get my head around. I have not won a race since ’95 or ’96.
I have not been a factor for 12 years, let’s be honest. If you have not been a factor for a win in 10 or 12 years, then what’s your place in the sport? Who are you? Are you just taking up a seat that somebody else could win races or are you just taking up space? I justify taking up space in my mind is that … I use this car, I use this sport, I use you guys, I use other drivers for a platform for camp. I’m on a different game plan. So when we talk about me going to 51 or 52 … I want to run and want to be competitive. That fire has not dimmed.
I am trying to figure out where I’m at. Everybody gets to a point in life where you try to figure out where you are, who you’ve been and what you want to do.
I’m not Richard Petty. I have not won seven championships. If you call up and say Richard Petty is on the phone, people pick up. If you call up and say Kyle Petty is on the phone, they’re like, ‘Who?’ But if I say, ‘Pick up the sports page, you’ll see that’s me, 36th, right there.’ But at least they can find me in the paper.
Kyle, keep on racing. If that’s what you want to do, just keep on doing it. It’s always fun to see you at the track and at least trying. If you win you win, if you lose you lose but at least your doing what you do best. There might be another win just down the road at the next race.
KYLE JUST KEEP RACING PAL.THE SPORT NEEDS GUYS LIKE YOU,JUST TO KEEP THEM HONEST.YOURE COMMENTS AND THE WAY YOU HANDLE YOURSELF AS A HUMAN BEING MAKES YOU A CREDIT TO THE SPORT. I WATCHED YOUR GRANDFATHER YOUR FATHER AND YOUR SON AND YOU AS WELL. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY.IF YOU USE YOUR FAME AND FORTUNE TO HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES SO BE IT. DONT RETIRE JUST YET I SEE ANOTHER WIN FOR YOU
I don’t know ANY NASCAR fan that isn’t cheering Kyle on everytime he starts a race. We all want to see him win! But I can see his point. Then again, if he’s still having fun, he should keep driving. For the camp, for Adam, until he’s finally had his fill. Then go into the broacast booth. I really enjoyed his short stint there last year, and he’d be a great asset to any team covering the races.
I agree wholeheartedly. Kyle is a great representative for the sport of stock car racing, and I would like to see him continue in Cup racing as long as he enjoys it.
I’m really hoping that Petty Racing gets back into Victory Lane this year… either car (43/45) would be just fine with me.
i’ve been a nascar fan long before it became cool… or corporate.. i feel like kyle is both friend & family to me .. kyle is as much a part of nascar as the letters that spell the word.. kyle is a racer & competitor, a father & a friend. a true country gentleman.. let’s add the camp into his life & his heart.. please stay with us, .. race on , brother !
Keep on keeping on Kyle.You are good for the sport and as long as you love it,Keep at it.
Kyle Petty will always be in NASCAR. It is just a matter of what role. I think he is much better – at this time in his life – in the media role. When he is on shows, he is comfortable. When he is in the booth he is so smooth and smart. (Just don’t be a commentator/driver again. I think you blew it that time in Sonoma!LOL) He has a whole other direction that gives him such huge exposure for Victory Junction Gang, and he should take advantage of that. Plus, maybe it won’t take as much time as being an owner/driver? I just hope hope Kyle does what makes him happy. But seeing him yacking about what he knows better then anoyone is what I like.