Sadler, Allmendinger, Labonte Rumours

by 4ever3 on Dec 27, 2008 11:34 PM EST Comment 4 comments

I'll lay it out plain and simple for you:

1) Sadler is out of the 19 car. I feel bad for the Esad fans out there let me tell you.

2) Allmendinger is in the 19 car. AJ did run better than Elliott in the last five 2008 races for GEM, posting an average finish of 16.4 while Elliott had an average finish 31.8 in the same GEM equipment.

3) No one is in the 43 car because they a) can't find a sponsor yet, or b) the merger talks between GEM and Petty are not going so well. Either way no driver is needed for the 43 that is why AJ and/or Elliott weren't considered for the drivers seat left vacant by the departing Labonte.

Complete story here.

By the way, I've been meaning to write about Labonte's departure for a week now but I haven't found the time to do so. Essentially what I wanted to say about the whole thing is this, "Man I feel for the guy."

I mean he put all his peas in one pot and the Pettys, through no fault of their own, went and spilt the whole damn thing over his head. Lots can be said about the rapid decline of the Petty organization this last year and when combined with a tumbling economy it brewed the perfect storm to oust Labonte from the storied drivers seat of the 43 car.

But I mean really, was the collapse of the Petty organization really that sudden? Think about it, it has been in a slow and steady decline for the last decade or more but no one has really admitted it.

If we ignore it, it'll go away.

Not this time.

It saddens me to think of a race without a Petty (at least in name) owned car in it, especially the #43, but it just might be the reality of next race season.

Photo credit: AP photo by Rick Havner daylife.com (Sadler 19, Allmendinger 84)

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I thought my bump on the head meds were causing me to hallucinate and ESad nightmare when I first read this yesterday. Then I woke up this morning and the nightmare type hallucination is still there.
My NASCAR "dreams" just keep getting worse. First...no Petty Org? Bobby Labonte with no ride? Now ESad no ride?
You are right this is not going to go away by being an ignoramus this time.
I am saddened by all of it.

by Clance' on Dec 28, 2008 11:44 AM EST reply actions

I agree with Clance`. It is a sad day when these drivers, especially ones with talent are lacking rides for 2009. I am sure someone will pick them up but the pickings are slim. I am happy to see AJ get a ride, although he is getting ESad's ride, but he did show major improvement this past year and lets just hope the move that they made by replacing ESad pays off.

Wow, the 2009 season has not even started and I already got a headache.

by DaleJarrett4Ever on Dec 29, 2008 9:40 AM EST reply actions

I would have to agree with both of you, it is sad and my head hurts already too!

by 4ever3 on Dec 29, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions

I'm a huge fan of the talents, committment, and personality of Bobby Labonte. And Richard Petty was my driver when I started watching NASCAR in the mid 70's, so it would be so disheartening not to see the number 43 on the track each week. I don't blame Bobby, he has too much talent to continue driving second tier equipment, and it's a shame Petty put him in that position. I sure hope they can merge with a successful team and find sponsorship for next season but I fear they will never be competitive again.

by timothy on Dec 31, 2008 10:47 AM EST reply actions