</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...and the sponsors that are willing to pay his way)</font>
Not anymore. I believe I read where if Petty is going to continue to be a field filler, he is going to have to pony up quite a bit of his own money. Most sponsors apparently don't want to be associated with losing drivers. The only time you see Kyle Petty's car getting TV exposure is when he crashes, causes a crash, is being lapped, or when you look to see who is last in the "Coke drivers". No arguement that he is a nice guy, but I don't agree with the concept of field fillers. With the talent and money available, there is no need.
I raced motocross for several years. As soon as I became part of the group that allowed the other part to be in the top third, I hung up my helmet. Personally, I would not go out and "race" just to be lapped traffic for competitive drivers.
Owensboro, KY is only a 30 minute drive from where I live and there are plenty of NASCAR drivers who reign from little Owensboro. However, even Owensboro residents think DW stayed too long. By the way, I'm through Tony Stewart's hometown nearly every month, as well as Ryan Newman's, and the "stopping off point" of Jeff Gordon.
Being that we are on the subject, do you think "Mr. Excitement" would have punched Stewart or Newman?! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif That would be fun to see. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Especially Stewart; he is a true Indiana redneck who happens to be able to race (and race well) about anything on wheels.