Pettys opt out of role with new National Sprint Car league
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
NASCAR stars Richard and Kyle Petty and the Richard Petty Driving Experience have opted not to become involved in the formation of the new National Sprintcar League.
A news release issued Sunday from the NSL said league officials learned last week that the Pettys would no longer be part of the start-up sprint car league.
There was no immediate comment from the Pettys late Monday.
"Sure, we regret that the Richard Petty Driving Experience has decided to withdraw from the new series. They're good race people and we'll miss them, but that is the only thing that has changed", said Steve Kinser, who won his 20th World of Outlaws series title this past season and signed to drive in the NSL in 2006.
"We look forward to forming the kind of relationships between tracks, race teams, drivers, sponsors, and most importantly the fans to carry 410 winged sprint car racing into the next decade."
In a news release the NSL cited only the "overwhelming demands in getting a start-up series off the ground" as the reason for the Pettys' departure.
During the September news conference announcing the formation of the NSL, current Nextel Cup champion and sprint car team owner Tony Stewart said this about the Pettys' involvement:
"We all feel comfortable that with Richard and Kyle involved this is in good hands. If you don't have that, you might as well not waste your time."
Stewart was in New York City participating in activities leading up to the Cup series awards banquet Friday and unavailable for comment.
Many questions remain about the new league, including a TV package and agreements with tracks to host events.
"We are acutely aware that the fans want answers now", said NSL official Brian Healey. "The reality is that starting a major touring series takes a cooperative effort of many sprint car racing's major players, and sometimes that takes longer than we all want it to take."
As of this week, the following teams and drivers were listed on the NSL Web site as committed to running the series in 2006: Steve Kinser Racing (Steve Kinser), Tony Stewart Racing (Paul McMahan), Kasey Kahne Racing (Joey Saldana), Elite Racing Team (Jason Meyers), Roth MotorSports (Danny Lasoski), TW Racing (Brandon Wimmer), Rudeen Racing (Shane Stewart), Selma Shell Racing (Lucas Wolfe), P&P MotorSports (Brian Paulus), Sides MotorSports (Jason Sides), Parsons MotorSports (Tim Shaffer), and Carnahan MotorSports (Jason Solwold).
Hehe... my stepbrother's favorite driver is Joey Saldana. The funny thing is that he, uh, isn't the biggest fan of Kasey, so it'll be interesting on his take of Saldana's new car owner.
Thanks for posting the article, Christy.
Andi
I was excited about the Pettys being involved- I'm disappointed they won't be, but still looking forward to seeing where new league goes. Good luck to Joey! :)
~ Mary
The whole league is not racing anymore
Yep :/ it just folded whenever the Petty's backed out