What’s Going On At Richard Petty Motorsports?

Murstein’s taxi medallion finance operation finally dead?
 
Money make the wheels go round and round...

It’s a shame since I believe Bubba could show us more in a better piece. A lot more.
 
They are an RCR affiliate team operating out of RCR's shop. How much more support would they need to make this a solvent operation? Maybe the alliance contracts aren't so favorable. It's a shame, because Bubba has shown scattered promise and would benefit from having a consistently decent car underneath him. He also has a great personality.
 
Bubba has complained to his team over the radio that no matter how talented the people are, they will never have the money to “run with the big boys”.
 
Losing Smithfield damn near killed the team.

Murstein just does not put the money in necessary for the team IMO and it shows. One off races are not helping RPM, they need longer termed partners. I hope WWT and others continue to support them.
 
Bubba has complained to his team over the radio that no matter how talented the people are, they will never have the money to “run with the big boys”.
Yeesh. I appreciate how open and honest he is, I mean the financial side of things is something that's very public in every other sport, but I wonder how RPM feels. More specifically, Petty himself. Bubba has definitely had a lot more sauce in his attitude this season and the season is very young...
 
Factories absolutely run the sport anymore. I’ve always wondered how long it’ll be before Manufacturers just literally take the teams over
 
Hate it for Bubba. From the looks of it I’d say the 43 won’t make the whole season. Let’s just cut to the chase and if RC could find some sponsorship (easier said) put Bubba in a 33 RCR ride. A stable of Dillon, Hemeric and Bubba wouldn’t be half bad
 
Yeesh. I appreciate how open and honest he is, I mean the financial side of things is something that's very public in every other sport, but I wonder how RPM feels. More specifically, Petty himself. Bubba has definitely had a lot more sauce in his attitude this season and the season is very young...
Sounds just like the typical employee that has a ton of skill but the employer lacks the tools to execute.

I hope he finds a solid ride soon.
 
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Factories absolutely run the sport anymore. I’ve always wondered how long it’ll be before Manufacturers just literally take the teams over

If that was the case, FRR would still be here. Manufacturers have budgets too. Having said that, of the three, Bubba is driving the car of the manufacturer least likely to pony up. Chevy really needs to get their **** together.
 
Sounds just like the typical employee that has a ton of skill but the employer lacks the tools to execute.

I hope he finds a solid ride soon.

I like Bubba. If personality made a car go faster, he would win championships. It doesn't, so he doesn't. I am not sure how big of a talent he truly is.
 
I like Bubba. If personality made a car go faster, he would win championships. It doesn't, so he doesn't. I am not sure how big of a talent he truly is.
Only completed 2 full seasons in the trucks and won 5 races.

He had an underfunded roush xfinity car in the top 3 in points before roush shut the doors on everyone.

Is only in his 2nd season in a historically lacking cup team and you throwing him off?

Psshhh
 
Only completed 2 full seasons in the trucks and won 5 races.

He had an underfunded roush xfinity car in the top 3 in points before roush shut the doors on everyone.

Is only in his 2nd season in a historically lacking cup team and you throwing him off?

Psshhh

Do you really see Bubba the way we might view Christopher Bell? Really? Do you truly believe that Bubba will be battling in Homestead some day for the Cup championship? He is in a lacking cup team because the quality rides are taken by better drivers. I don't think Bubba is even at the level of Suarez, really. If personality equalled tenths of a second, nobody could catch Bubba.
 
Do you really see Bubba the way we might view Christopher Bell? Really? Do you truly believe that Bubba will be battling in Homestead some day for the Cup championship? He is in a lacking cup team because the quality rides are taken by better drivers. I don't think Bubba is even at the level of Suarez, really. If personality equalled tenths of a second, nobody could catch Bubba.
Whole point of this thread has blown over your head.

Conversation about money vs talent & you bring up Saurez? Lol
 
Bubba's gotten a shot in Cup, which is probably all he could ask for given his results in the other two national series. I think people want him to be good more than he is good. Not that he doesn't deserve something decent full-time as a Truck or Xfinity regular but I think Cup is a little beyond him - and certainly not a 'good' or 'great' Cup ride.

As for RPM, I think the writing is on the wall. If that organization is still around three years from now I'd be surprised. Petty is a figurehead and the actual ownership and management isn't good, and the finances get a little worse each year.
 
Bubba is a good Trucks driver, nothin wrong with that. Didn’t do much in Xfinity, Chris Buescher way outperformed him in the same equipment. And Buescher doesn’t have a top ride. Compare his performance in the 43 to Aric Almirola, Aric got more out of that ride. At least he got a shot at a cup ride
 
Way back when it was quite normal for a rookie /younger driver to get his first ride in so so equipment. Everyone kept an eye on those guys and the ones believed to be getting more from the car and team got promoted to better rides. I don’t think things have been that way for over 25 years now.
 
Whole point of this thread has blown over your head.

Conversation about money vs talent & you bring up Saurez? Lol

Comparing Bubba's talent to Suarez......ya know? I think the thread theme is murky.....insinuating that a driver of Bubba's talent deserves more than he has? Not sure about that. Look, I like Bubba. It would be amazing if he could be dominant. I just don't think he is, and I don't think that the problem is necessarily the equipment....which equals money.
 
Comparing Bubba's talent to Suarez......ya know? I think the thread theme is murky.....insinuating that a driver of Bubba's talent deserves more than he has? Not sure about that. Look, I like Bubba. It would be amazing if he could be dominant. I just don't think he is, and I don't think that the problem is necessarily the equipment....which equals money.

probably most didn't read the article in the first place, nothing was said about folding, nothing said about Bubb's record, what WAS said is lack of funding is the TEAM's problem.

"I think the biggest thing is dollar signs," Wallace said on Friday during media availability at Bristol. "Over the years we have kind of tip-toed around that, but that’s enough of that. We’re behind on money. It’s all about being up front and being blunt. It’s coming down to a crucial time — we just have to start running better. I always sit there and talk to other people, and I’m like, why would new companies want to come in and sponsor the 43? You can play the race card all you want. You will get a lot of attention, sure. But, for me, I’m competitive and look at results, and new companies don’t understand that the more money you spend, the better you do. It is hard to get their heads wrapped around that.
 
But, for me, I’m competitive and look at results, and new companies don’t understand that the more money you spend, the better you do.

Here's where I kind of have a problem. I am NOT asking this rhetorically.....Is Bubba as good as he thinks he is? Will spending more money get Bubba to the top 5? I do not think so. Bubba is asking companies new to the sport to spend on him what they might on a front runner. Is this a big gamble? I think it would be.
 
@Revman there is a lot of room between a top 5 budget and the RPM budget. It's not a binary deal. No one knows exactly how good Bubba is, but the dude stands on the gas, that we do know.

@FLRacingFan ... sorry to nitpick, but I believe Richard Petty is more than a figurehead. He's an equity owner with skin in the deal. And he's also actively involved with the team per Drew Blickensderfer. Failures of the team are on both Murstein and Petty... IMO.
 
Here's where I kind of have a problem. I am NOT asking this rhetorically.....Is Bubba as good as he thinks he is? Will spending more money get Bubba to the top 5? I do not think so. Bubba is asking companies new to the sport to spend on him what they might on a front runner. Is this a big gamble? I think it would be.
the only comparison I can make is when he was driving a truck for Pork Chop. He won 4 races that year, while Pork Chop won 7. So for people like yourself who use the is he good enough while being a Pork Chop fan boy. I don't know what to tell ya. I'm sure you will skew it somehow. The original article doesn't say anything about is he good enough FYI. It is about money buys speed.
 
At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how good Bubba is or how much input Richard has. For whatever reasons the tandem of Bubba and Richard are not compelling enough to attract sponsorship. A 7 time champ and 200 race winner plus a young man that is liked by all can’t get it done. Turn the page and sell the charter.
 
@Revman there is a lot of room between a top 5 budget and the RPM budget. It's not a binary deal. No one knows exactly how good Bubba is, but the dude stands on the gas, that we do know.

@FLRacingFan ... sorry to nitpick, but I believe Richard Petty is more than a figurehead. He's an equity owner with skin in the deal. And he's also actively involved with the team per Drew Blickensderfer. Failures of the team are on both Murstein and Petty... IMO.
That's surprising to hear Richard is still actively involved. I thought he was more hands-off at this point, and I know Murstein is usually the one vocal about the structure of NASCAR and what it should be like going forward...interesting.
 
just like KyBu should be grateful...

What makes you think he isn't? I hear him thanking Coach, his guys, Mars, TRD and Toyota, Interstate Batteries, Black Clover hats, Cessna, Wiley X sunglasses, his wife, Brexton, and Rowdy Nation every time he wins....which is a lot....which is why it is so easy for me to remember. He also prays with Samantha and Brexton before the race, and I would assume that there is something in there about how blessed he is. See how this works?
 
That's surprising to hear Richard is still actively involved. I thought he was more hands-off at this point, and I know Murstein is usually the one vocal about the structure of NASCAR and what it should be like going forward...interesting.

For what it is worth I heard that he was a figurehead and not involved in the day to day operations of the business. I think people forget he is in his 80’s and is far removed from driving or active ownership.
 
What makes you think he isn't?...

KyBu complains a lot -- he should just take your advice (about Bubba) and be happy, even when his car is "junk". KyBu's crap cars are better than RPM's best cars...

Bubba is wrestling a car from a Team that is loosely allied with RCR (which is not a top team)...
 
Bubba is a good Trucks driver, nothin wrong with that. Didn’t do much in Xfinity, Chris Buescher way outperformed him in the same equipment. And Buescher doesn’t have a top ride. Compare his performance in the 43 to Aric Almirola, Aric got more out of that ride. At least he got a shot at a cup ride

I disagree with you on one issue. RPM now and RPM with Aric are two completely different teams.

RPM had more consistent funding with Smithfield and Roush support. Roush was still hanging solid bodies and the results showed for the most part. RPM could compete for a top 15 finish every weekend and even had a second team at the time (more of a disadvantage). Bubba showed with the Roush cars he could perform well on his limited runnings.

He had three top tens in that car last year, one on each configuration, I think with more money. He would be in the top 15 on a consistent basis. Is he getting everything out of the car? That's TBD because folks are quick to judge him and Dillon, but Dillon has the GEICO and Twisted Tea money. Dillon also has a solid journeyman CC in Matt Borland.

I'm not making excuses for Bubba, but I'm certain he's trying to get the most out of the cars. Its just RPM is behind the 8-ball on the budget, he's definitely an above average driver IMO. He can probably on the level of an Austin Dillon, maybe even more if he continues to push.
 
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