recent Petty biographies?

Have there been any fairly recent biographies of The King? I'm curious to read someone's opinion of how and why it went downhill so fast after 1979. Whether another driver could have saved Petty Enterprises if Richard had retired ten years earlier in 1982.

I know that the sport changed and few drivers are still competitive after twenty years. But Petty Enterprises knew how to build great cars and how to run a team. Kyle obviously wasn't the ticket, but could someone like Mark Martin or Dale Jarrett have kept them going? It breaks my heart to see RPM as a third tier team today.

If there is a recent biography out, I don't know about it. I truly think Adam Petty would have been the one to bring Petty Enterprises back to the top. He was Richard made over. Such a loss. I'll let you know if I find a new book.

Only books I'm aware of from the last 20 years or so have been photo-oriented vs. a bio. I'm sure there are plenty of opinions out there as to the decline.

• increased costs of running a start-up team for Kyle without an increase in money
• lack of investment in new technology especially as true multi-car teams began to emerge such as Junior Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports
• Lee's meddling in things that eventually pushed Dale Inman to the point of leaving (my opinion only)
• frustration by Chief at getting beaten by other teams in early 80s that resulted in the big engine and illegal tires at Charlotte in 1983 - divided the team even further
• desire by Richard to continue racing as he loved to do - but with conservative set-ups and pit calls by Inman to minimize risk of his getting hurt
• injuries to Richard anyway with broken neck at Pocono in 1980, concussion at Charlotte in 1986, and Daytona in 1988
• the ill-fated decision to drive for Curb Motorsports in 84-85

With all that happening just in the 1980s, Petty Enterprises was ill equipped to put a quality car under any driver that replaced Richard. It didn't help any that the team went cheap with hires such as Rick Wilson and Wally Dallenbach.

Many think Adam was the answer. He did show promise in his limited time in the sport. But I continue to believe that for him to be successful, Kyle would have had him sign with another team.

I was almost ready to say that Richard should pack up the team and retire, but then I saw those all blue paint jobs on the Smithfield cars. They're not going to get far with Ambrose and Amirola though. Maybe Carl Edwards will find himself locked out everywhere else and have to go to Petty. I want to see Richard in Victory Lane with the #43 just one more time. Hopefully at onbe of the old tracks, like Richmond, Martinsville or Darlington.

Roush is in trouble right now as is RCR. But Edwards isn't done. He is going to free fall to RPM - at least not on this next contract. RPM does need a driver pipeline - but its owners are going to have to make the financial decision about being more of an independent team. Right now, I'm not sure they want to do that. Ridiculously expensive proposition to compete bumper to bumper with HMS/GM, JGR/Toyota and RFR/Penske/Roush-Yates.

From a pure business perspective, I think they've just about settled in where they can. I have no doubt Richard still burns to win again. But at what cost?As fans, we don't care about the business side of things. We just want our team in victory lane.

But back to your original question. Perhaps I could pitch a project to write the bio of PE of 1980-2008. I'll need doors opened by Tim Leeming and mentoring by Perry Allen Wood. But I'd enjoy getting the chance to do it!

I think the story needs to be told. Once he left Chrysler he was swimming against the tide and some newer fans might conclude he was only successful because he was Chrysler's #1 man (let's ignore Hendrick & GM for the moment).

If I may be indiscreet, the principals in this story won't be around forever. Jimmie Johnson will win at least seven championships and the feat begins to look less difficult. I'd like to see the story told before he becomes as forgotten as Fred Lorenzen and Buck Baker. Richard Petty had a profound affect on my life, up to and including my decision to move to North Carolina. I've read your stuff, I think you understand.

Kyle could tell the Petty story of the 80's but I don't think he will. People outside of the family don't always understand the dynamics of the family. He respects his Dad and I don't think he would write something that people might misinterpret. I also think Kyle was a better driver than he is given credit for. Maybe not one of the greats but a darn good one. I saw him spank the field a couple of times at Rockingham. Kyle and I are the same age and I was one of the ones that thought he did not take it seriously enough in the beginning but over the years I have come to respect him greatly.