Richard Petty reacted angrily today to news of the withdrawal of
Smithfield Foods as major sponsor of Richard Petty Motorsports.
“We have had numerous discussions with Smithfield Foods regarding
the extension of our relationship, dating as far back as February," Petty
said. "Over the past few months, Smithfield had continually told me they
wanted to be with us, and I recently shook hands on a deal to extend our
relationship. I come from a time when we did major deals with sponsors like STP
on a handshake. I'm sad to see this is where we are now.
"This decision is very unexpected, and we are extremely
disappointed in this late and abrupt change of direction," he added.
"Losing a sponsor of this magnitude in September is a significant set-back
to Richard Petty Motorsports, but Andy (Murstein) and I are committed to moving
forward with the No. 43 team. We have a lot of great partners who have
expressed their continued support, and our fans will rally around the No. 43.
We've been around since 1949, and we'll be around a lot longer."
Petty also confirmed that driver Aric Almirola will not return to
RPM next season. Almirola is widely expected to accompany Smithfield to Stewart
Haas Racing.
Huge mistake for Smithfield...I buy my pig elsewhere...
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Petty has represented Smithfield superbly as he has all of his sponsors over the decades. His team may not have had the success of Stewart-Haas but it also has shown there's real talent there.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding before this was the plan was to team up Almirola and Darrell Wallace in a two-car outfit under the RCR aegis - obviously plans can and do blow up.
Not a real surprise. Mr. The King has lasted longer than: Junior, Yates, Rudd, Waltrip, Waltrip, Baker.....
ReplyDeleteEverything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn't end.
Riding into the sunset, with your head held high is an acceptable ending too.
Who said anything about "Riding into the sunset"?. RPM will be back in 18 with at least the #43 and hopefully with Bubba Wallace in it and who knows, they might be back with even a 2nd car also!
DeleteSponsorship is a business decision, plain and simple. How many wins does RPM have since Smithfield has been on board? One, and it was because of a rain shortened strategy move. Compare that to SHR which has 2 championships and multiple wins. It's a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wrong to dump on Smithfield. Money is green and TV costs money. You'll see the 10 car on TV more, next season than you would have seen the 43.
ReplyDeleteAric is a top 12, in the 10 car.
Smithfield made a business decision, and is staying in NASCAR. They have my support, and I will continue to buy their delicious meats!
ReplyDeleteSmithfield sponsored Aric not Petty. Aric brought them and they stayed with him.
ReplyDeleteHe comes from a time when sponsorships like STP were done on a handshake.
ReplyDeleteHe also comes from a time when Richard Petty Motorsports wasn't simply an also-ran back-of-the-pack team.
Things change.
I hate it for RPM, but blasting a former, loyal sponsorship partner isn't a very good way to start a search for a new one, either.
Problem is, you are not competitive.
ReplyDeleteIn fact given how many cars the #43 passes most races, they are competitive. Smithfield is also going to a team - the 10 - with fewer top-tens (and far fewer cars it passes) than the 43 this season.
DeleteEveryones time comes. Its now yours.
ReplyDeleteSmithfield made the right choice. Why continue to be part of a mid level team that doesn't win? Two other mid level teams are pretty hot right now so it can be done.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Petty was pushing to have Darrel Wallace Jr. in the 43 next year. Looks like Smithfield didn't want a Black guy as their front man. That is the reason I will not buy Smithfield products any longer.
3 Words: Loy Allen Jr......
ReplyDeleteWho you say? When Alan Kulwicki was killed, Hooters wanted Loy Allen Jr., in the car. Paul Andrews and Felix wanted Jimmy Hensley. Hooters pulled out and the #7 team was sold.
The sponsor money is what greases the wheels.
Fact, not fiction. (or skin color)
I bet not.
ReplyDelete