Richard Petty, the famed seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, has once again taken the spotlight with pointed criticism of the Next Gen NASCAR car, following the recent race at Talladega. During his weekly race recap, Petty openly questioned the current direction of the sport, casting doubt on whether the on-track action truly lives up to NASCAR’s storied reputation. His remarks come at a time when passionate debates about racing quality are intensifying across the NASCAR community, as fans and insiders alike seek answers for a decline in excitement.
Reflecting on the Talladega event, Richard Petty did not mince words, suggesting that what fans witnessed was less of a race and more of a mere “happening.” In his own words, Petty said, “They happened to throw the green flag. Somebody threw the checkered flag and the No. 2 won the race. He just happened to be in front at that time.” Highlighting the monotonous pace, he added, “The cars just drive in a line and they just run. And they run and they run. Looked like a pace lap every time.”
Richard Petty also addressed concerns about the cause of the lackluster competition, candidly sharing his uncertainty. “I don’t know if it’s the car’s fault, the rule’s fault, the driver’s fault, the engine’s fault, NASCAR’s fault, I don’t know,” he admitted. Even with his legendary experience, Petty could not point to a clear solution, asking, “Would horsepower help anything? I don’t know.” He further explained, “They got these cars so draggy that if a car’s leading the race and a car comes up behind him with a good run on him, all he does is pull over and he just stops that car.”
For Petty, the root issue is that current conditions simply do not foster real racing. “To me that’s not racing. You can go out here and stand on the side of the interstate and watch cars go down the road. That’s what it looked like. It looked like basically it was under a caution flag the entire time,” he argued, drawing a stark comparison to regular highway traffic.
As Richard Petty calls for changes, the NASCAR community is left feeling dissatisfied, anxious, and searching for hope. Petty remains optimistic that future events, especially the fall Talladega race, might witness improvements. “Maybe NASCAR can figure out something to make it more interesting for the spectators,” he concluded, reflecting both frustration and determination to see the sport recapture its former intensity.
