Sunday, June 15, 2014

Kyle Petty: 'We look at the Hendrick organization as a leader'

   Even before Jimmie Johnson won Sunday's Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway, former NASCAR driver and now TNT analyst offered a prophetic commentary on the Hendrick Motorsports organization and why it would be likely one of its drivers would win the race.
   
   Here was Petty's take on TNT's "Countdown to Green" prerace show: 

   "I think Hendrick has the upper hand from an engine and team perspective. We look at the Hendrick organization as a leader. Nobody ever seems to leave there - guys check in, but they never check out," Petty said.

   "They’ve got the cream of the crop when it comes to crew chiefs, and look at their drivers. They’ve got Kasey Kahne, multiple Daytona 500 winner Dale Jr., Jeff Gordon and 'Mr. Everything' Jimmie Johnson. Why wouldn’t you expect those guys to run up front and win every week?”

   And Hendrick drivers have now won five consecutive races.