The fascinating factor is, executives normally do not step down in the course of the fiscal 12 months, or on this case, midway by means of a sport’s season.
It is solely doable that, at 65 years outdated, Petree determined that New Hampshire can be his final hurrah. Nonetheless, with the information coming so abruptly, and at such a vital time within the season, it is also solely doable that Richard Childress can not settle for poor outcomes.
Neither Dale Earnhardt, Neil Bonnett or Kevin Harvick are strolling by means of the entrance doorways of Richard Childress Racing anytime quickly. For a corporation with over 55 years of historical past and loads of trophies to talk of, lacking the postseason solely is unacceptable.
Whereas Dillon had a poor 12 months in 2023, the No. 3 staff’s poor efforts had been barely negated by a promising 2023 marketing campaign from Kyle Busch. Whereas the No. 8 staff fell off because the season went on, Busch gained three of the primary 15 races in 2023, establishing himself as a title favourite midway by means of the 12 months. For each drivers — particularly a two-time champion Busch — to be on the verge of lacking the playoffs is inexcusable.
Petree has actually earned his flowers over a prolonged NASCAR profession. Along with his cease at RCR, he is additionally pushed within the Xfinity and Truck Sequence, served as an analyst within the tv sales space and sat atop the pit field as a crew chief, amongst different duties.
Nonetheless, each mighty titan in sports activities ultimately reaches a degree the place their throne begins to crumble. After an uninspiring conclusion to 2023, RCR wanted large issues to occur in 2024, and whereas their Xfinity Sequence program has flourished, their Cup Sequence operation has gotten worse by the week.
Busch has three finishes of thirty fifth within the final 4 races, and whereas causes range for his disappointing days, chief amongst them are mechanical points at Iowa and a horrendously sluggish automotive at New Hampshire.
Dillon has slowly been falling off in efficiency since 2022, however a miraculous win at Daytona softened the blow of a poor season with a playoff berth. With Dillon and the No. 3 staff presently sitting thirty second in factors, it seems that one other miraculous Daytona triumph is the one factor that would get Dillon into the postseason.
Busch may level his means into the playoffs over the following eight races, however the lack of velocity is extra regarding for the No. 8 staff than their place within the standings.
On the finish of the day, Petree’s sudden retirement doubtless boils all the way down to what firings and resignations all the time have in NASCAR: The vehicles on the observe merely aren’t quick sufficient.