[h=2]Petty assesses RPM's future beyond 2017[/h] Wednesday, 05 July 2017
By Kelly Crandall / Images by Getty Images for NASCAR
There is a place for Richard Petty Motorsports in NASCAR as long as "The King" himself is around.
When asked about the future of his organization over the weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Petty said with a small chuckle he's not sure his son, Kyle, would take up the mallet when he's gone. But for right now, Petty is focused on continuing his single-car operation into 2018.
However, the recently turned 80-year-old admitted there are important variables to be addressed.
"Everyone goes through ups and downs and ins and outs – NASCAR with all the rule changes, or point standings and stuff – they're trying to do everything they can to upgrade and bring back spectators. Well, we're doing the same thing, only we're struggling with making sure that [sponsor] Smithfield signs up for another year [and] Air Force does," Petty said.
"We got a deal with the racecar when we got all the people, got a driver, so it's a never-ending deal. And if you talk to me or you talk to any other teams, everybody is up in the air at this time of the year, most of the time, trying to figure out where are we with what we can do next year."
Right now, Petty said the organization does have a plan. But like any silly season, RPM is waiting to see how all the dominoes fall. Driver Aric Almirola, who is currently recovering from a compression fracture of his T5 vertebra, is signed through the end of this season.
The same appears to be the case for both Smithfield and the U.S. Air Force, two of RPM's primary sponsors.
Smithfield has increased its support of RPM over the years, having started at seven races in its inaugural season in 2012. That number has ramped up to over half the season since 2014. The Air Force has been a partner for equally as long, adorning the No. 43 Ford in two races annually.
With Almirola injured, Petty has had the opportunity to work with young talent Darrell Wallace Jr. The former Xfinity Series driver for Roush Fenway Racing is doing his best to showcase himself well as he, too, looks for a ride not only for upon Almirola's return but going into next season.
"We're all in a situation where we depend on a lot of other people, or a lot of other circumstances to get done what we want to get done," Petty continued.
The good news for RPM when it comes to closing out this season is the organization could have Almirola back in the seat as early as New Hampshire on July 16. After that there will be a little over four months until the last checkered flag of 2017 falls and decisions for 2018 must be made.
"Right now, things are looking decent," Petty said. "I won't say they're looking great; I won't say they're looking bad. But we're in the middle of some transition deals here, and we should be in pretty good shape."