Richard Petty comments on Next Gen NASCAR Cup car design came after a fan questioned the durability of toe links during a recent episode of his Petty Race Recap show. Addressing concerns about car safety and component strength, Petty, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, explained the intention behind certain design decisions in today’s Cup Series racing.
Petty Addresses Fan Doubts About Car Parts
During his social media show, a viewer asked Petty—known as “The King”—whether he thought the toe links on the current generation of NASCAR Cup cars might be too fragile. The fan also mentioned noticing that this specific component often breaks, leading to cars withdrawing from races after a crash. Toe links help connect a car’s suspension, and their failure can force a team out of contention.
Petty did not shy away from acknowledging the part’s vulnerability, but he elaborated on the necessity of having designed weak points in racing vehicles. According to Petty, if every element of the car were reinforced, the forces from a collision could become dangerous for drivers themselves, as energy would have nowhere to dissipate. This approach is focused on absorbing impacts safely so that the driver does not suffer more severe injuries.
“Yeah, it’s pretty weak, but if they make that stronger, then what’s the next weakest link? So, when they hit the wall with the right rear, something’s gotta give. You can’t make them stiff enough and if you make them too stiff, then they don’t give any and then the driver can’t stand the pressure, so I guess you got to have weak links in any chain,” Richard Petty said (0:00 onwards). —Richard Petty, NASCAR Hall of Famer and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club
Highlights From Petty’s Storied Career and Current Role
Richard Petty ranks as the winningest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history, recording 200 career victories and sharing the highest championship count—seven—with fellow legends Jimmie Johnson and the late Dale Earnhardt. Recognized for his achievements, Petty was part of the inaugural class inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010. Today, he serves as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, a collaboration with Jimmie Johnson that began before the 2023 racing season. The team currently competes with Erik Jones in the #43 car and John Hunter Nemechek in the #42, carrying forward Petty’s legacy on the track.
Remembering Sacrifice on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, Petty paid tribute to fallen U.S. soldiers by sharing a patriotic photograph on social media. In the image, he stands before an American flag. The longtime champion and car owner added a brief message honoring the significance of the holiday and the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.
“Honoring those who gave all for our freedom.” —Richard Petty, NASCAR Hall of Famer and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club
Team Performance in the Latest Cup Series Season
At this stage of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, Legacy Motor Club’s two entries are ranked 21st and 27th in the points standings. John Hunter Nemechek, who pilots the #42 car, is currently 21st with one top-five finish, while Erik Jones in the #43 sits in 27th, also earning a single top-five result so far. The team continues to compete with determination amid a challenging season, reinforcing both Petty’s influence in the sport and the continued debate about the evolution of car safety.
The ongoing conversations about “weak links” in car design highlight the balance between structural integrity and driver safety that NASCAR teams like Legacy Motor Club must navigate. As ideas about car engineering evolve and fan questions persist, feedback from icons such as Richard Petty provides perspective on why certain compromises exist in modern racing.
