The Way I See It: Bobby Labonte And Petty
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 1:12pm EDT
By Tim Spencer, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
[thumb:174:l:s=1:l=x]Could it be there is a team from the past on the rise for next year even though the 2006 season is just getting a good start? A lot of people including myself had doubts about Bobby Labonte teaming up with Petty Enterprises. Let’s face the facts that Petty Enterprises hasn’t turned out the results that a lot of people thought they would after going back to Dodge.
Petty Enterprises has improved, even though Bobby’s sitting 25th in points after Michigan doesn’t show how much they have improved. Bobby has not yet had to use a provisional to enter any race. They have had two engine failures and another DNF due to an accident. However, look at the flip side of things. Bobby has started a third of the races in the top 10 which is an extreme improvement from just a year ago. Bobby has also finished in the top ten three times, one of which was a top five. Could there have been more top 10’s? On at least one occasion Labonte was running in the top ten when his motor went and he has been knocking on the door at some point during most of the races.
I think they might be a team to look at for the Chase in 2007. The main thing they are missing is the consistency of finish in the top spots. Time is telling the story though and another year of the combination of Petty Enterprises and the changes they made for this year is a step in the right direction.
I don’t think that next year they will be in contention for the top spot, but I feel they have the ability to be making a creditable run for the chase. All they need to do is to gel a little more and become consistent in their finishes.
The real big key to next year is going to be the guys behind the scene though at Petty Enterprises. If they are to have a run at the chase for next year then they need to improve in there motor department. Not necessarily a huge increase in power or something of that nature because they have proved this year that they can accomplish that task. What they need is the engines to stay together for every race and be consistently strong to allow their driver to do his job at the best of his ability.
Yep, I believe Bobby has made a good decision. It might not have it’s benefits from the start, but I believe that in the long run Bobby will be at least in the Chase in years to come. I may be putting my neck out by saying it could be as early as next year. If not next year then I believe he will be in the hunt in 08.
What better combination could you think of than a Championship owner, a Championship driver and a Championship crew chief to turn an operation around.
And… That’s the way I see it!!
Filed Under: Features, Guest Authors, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Way I See It, Tim Spencer
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It isn’t the stellar turn-around of RCR, but they are showing improvement.
I think people expected them to be much more niticibly improved than they are, but merely due to the caliber of personell they brought onboard.
It was a positive step, yes. But not the entire secret to the puzzle. The problems at PE run deep. Damn deep.
Kyle’s forgot where the gas pedal is. He’s lost that edge that is needed to be up there with the rest. He never lit the world on fire really before the loss of his son, but it’s quite a noticible difference since.
Many people taut that Kyle should step out of the car. That the King is crazy to let him stay in it.
However, in Kyle’s own words, the place he feels closest to Adam is in that car. He won’t be stepping out of it until he wants to, and he’s ready to. And on-track results won’t be what dictate it.
While I won’t taut them into the chase next year, yet, they are really making the progress they need to on the foundation that could very well lead to it. We’ll see as time goes on.
Luke said this on June 20th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
I agree with you. I think they will be the “Team to Watch” in 2007. I am looking at it from a little different perspective however. Both Kyle and Bobby’s extended horoscopes from late fall til Jan 07 say they are in preperation for something big. 07 is the most important year in both of thier scopes. They also have a tremendous amount of othe “Big” aspects that they share. I am excited to see what happens with them. They both so deserve everything life has to offer them.
Clance McClannahan said this on June 21st, 2006 at 5:57 pm
I will kind of agree about Kyle after he lost Adam, but before hand he had his tracks. Let’s not forget how he use to dominate the rock. Kyle I don’t think is the key factor here though. I still believe turning the engine apartment around and with the talent they now have in place is going to make great progress in their team.
Tim said this on June 22nd, 2006 at 8:50 am