Richard Petty Sets the Record Straight on Erik Jones and Kyle Larson Revenge Drama

The NASCAR world loves its drama, and boy, did we get some fireworks at Daytona last weekend. When Kyle Larson got aggressive with Erik Jones in those final laps, shoving the Legacy Motor Club driver around like he was in a demolition derby, fans immediately started buzzing about payback. But leave it to the King himself to cut through all the noise with some old-school wisdom.

The King’s Wisdom on NASCAR Revenge

Richard Petty didn’t mince words when a fan asked whether Erik Jones should put Kyle Larson into the wall the next chance he gets. The seven-time champion’s response was as straightforward as his driving style back in the day.”Erik don’t drive like that,” Richard Petty said with the kind of certainty that only comes from decades of experience. “You know what I mean? It’s over with, okay? That was last week. forget it, let’s go on down the road.”

Those words hit different coming from a man who’s seen every kind of racing drama imaginable during his legendary career. Richard Petty knows what separates the hothead rookies from the seasoned veterans, and he’s putting Jones firmly in the latter category. The incident at Daytona had hearts racing and tempers flaring.

With just six laps remaining and the regular season championship on the line, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet kept pushing Jones’s Toyota toward the outside wall. It was aggressive racing at its finest, the kind that makes you hold your breath and grip your seat. Jones somehow managed to keep his composure and his car off the concrete, salvaging a fifth-place finish that marked his third top-five of the season.

But here’s the thing that really gets your blood pumping about this whole situation. Jones was running out of time to make the playoffs. This was it, his last shot at glory in the regular season finale. Only a win would’ve punched his ticket to the postseason, and Larson’s aggressive moves might’ve cost him that opportunity.

Erik Jones Takes the High Road

Instead of plotting revenge like some drivers might, Erik Jones did something that probably made Richard Petty proud. He didn’t go looking for payback on the track. Instead, he went straight to Kyle Larson and demanded an explanation. That’s racing maturity right there, the kind of professionalism that separates champions from also-rans.

Jones wanted to understand what was going through Larson’s mind during those crucial final laps. Was it just hard racing, or was there something more deliberate about those moves? Getting answers instead of getting even shows the kind of character that Richard Petty respects.

Meanwhile, Larson sits pretty with three wins this season and a guaranteed playoff spot alongside his Hendrick teammates Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. The Elk Grove native doesn’t have to worry about points or desperation moves. He’s already locked into the championship hunt.

Richard Petty’s Take on NASCAR’s Current State

While we’re talking about the King’s opinions, Richard Petty hasn’t been shy about addressing NASCAR’s bigger challenges either. The NextGen car has been a lightning rod for criticism since its debut, with many fans and drivers calling for more horsepower to improve the racing product. But Richard Petty sees the complexity that others might miss.

Speaking on the Petty Family Racing YouTube channel, the NASCAR legend explained his perspective with typical candor.”I don’t think there’s any one thing. It’s gonna be a combination of things,” Petty said. “Whether they give ’em more horsepower, or whether they raise ’em off the ground a little bit, or whether they take some of the aero deals away, or give it more, whatever it takes.”

The King’s wisdom shines through again as he acknowledges that fixing NASCAR’s current challenges isn’t as simple as turning up the horsepower dial. “There is a combination that will make the cars better, but right now I don’t think anybody’s got it figured out.”

Looking Ahead to Darlington

The drama between Jones and Larson might be water under the bridge, but the real action is just heating up. The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway this Sunday, August 31st, kicks off the 10-race playoff segment. That 367-lap battle promises to deliver the kind of heart-pounding action that makes NASCAR special.

You can catch all the action on USA starting at 6 p.m. ET, or tune into MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for live updates. Darlington has a way of humbling even the best drivers, and with playoff pressure ramping up, we might see some real fireworks.

Final Thoughts

At 88 years old, Richard Petty continues making his mark on NASCAR as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club and chairman of the North Carolina Motorsports Association. He’s also keeping busy with Petty’s Garage, his specialty shop for custom and restored cars down in Randleman, North Carolina. The King’s voice still carries weight in this sport, and his advice to let bygones be bygones shows why champions think differently from everyone else.