So, when Richard Petty Motorsports almost folded at the end of last season, I was concerned. Sure, Richard Petty would probably always be around the sport, but if RPM folded, what would happen to the iconic No. 43 that Petty drove for just over three decades?
The No. 43 car in "Petty blue" at Indy in 2009
When all was figured out financially, and Petty was able to keep his team in the running for this season, I was relieved. A.J. Allmendinger, one of NASCAR’s younger guns, will still drive the No. 43, and the car will still have Petty’s name attached to it. That’s good news.
RPM will run two cars this season, Allmendinger and the No. 9 of Marcos Ambrose. In 2010, RPM ran a four-car team. Best Buy just announced this week that they will sponsor Allmendinger in 26 races, and be an associate sponsor on the Ambrose machine. Valvoline, the U.S. Air Force and Paralyzed Veterans of America will also sponsor the RPM cars this year.
Allmendinger has proven he can run well, but needs to be more consistent to have a great year. Ambrose was one mental mistake at Sonoma away from capturing his first ever victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series last year, and now in a Richard Petty car, he could possibly make some noise on the ovals too.
One thing I’m willing to bet on is with the new Ford motor and the name Richard Petty Motorsports on the car, these guys will contend for a win or two in 2011. They’ve both been so close in the past.
Richard Petty knows how to win, and his seven Cup titles speak for themselves. He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and rightfully so. “The King”—and that’s the only thing you need to call Petty for any NASCAR fan to recognize who you’re talking about—goes above and beyond being a former driver and team owner though.
Richard Petty is one of the coolest, nicest guys I’ve ever seen in the garage area. In my two trips to Indianapolis, I’ve seen Richard Petty sign about a dozen or so autographs, and I only saw him for maybe two minutes.
Richard Petty signs a fan's shirt in the garage area at the '09 Brickyard 400
I was disappointed as a child in 1999 to be so close to getting Petty’s autograph, but coming up empty. I wrote in the original Brickyard 400 countdown in 2008, “The King swung around one last time for signatures, and I was next in line. He said, ‘Thanks, but I’m done,’ and walked away.”
I remember a guy behind Petty telling him he had to leave. If not, he probably would have stayed there all day signing papers, pictures, cars, and probably a few t-shirts. That’s one of the best things about Richard Petty; no matter what he’ll put that big smile on his face and snap a photo with you, sign your stuff and you’ll be left with a heck of a memory.
Maybe one day I’ll get that shot to talk to Richard Petty. I’ve met my childhood idol, so meeting the man who has dominated the sport I love would be an awesome story too.
There are 43 days until the green drops on this NASCAR season. Check back tomorrow for more NASCAR news and notes. Until then, enjoy your Saturday, and thanks for checking in.
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