It is not an easy task being the son of the great Richard Petty. Kyle Petty has had his challenges both on and off the tracks, fulfilling the expectations. Nowadays, he’s more into NASCAR analysis and is more often than not criticized for his opinions. A similar case took place recently when he criticized Ryan Blaney. It spurred the fans so much that his old Bubba Wallace comments resurfaced online.
It is understandable how it is his job to analyze the NASCAR drivers. But if it goes out of hand, one has to face the wrath of the NASCAR fans. Petty was on the receiving end of it recently.
Fans slam Kyle Petty for Bubba Wallace-like criticism of Ryan Blaney
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Speaking on the NBC podcast, Petty detailed his analysis after watching the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. He expressed his concerns for Team Penske and attacked Blaney. He said, “For me, and I’m going, to be honest, man, Ryan Blaney is the new Kasey Kahne — potential unfulfilled.
“Everybody wants to talk about what he can do, but he never does anything. For whatever reason … He just never gets past that hump.”
On the latest @NASCARonNBC Podcast, @kylepetty assessed the early season performances of @TeamHendrick/@TeamTrackhouse/Chevy, @Team_Penske/Ford and Toyota.
Here’s a clip (full podcast audio here https://t.co/p0suLYGx7B; discussion at 30:00 mark): pic.twitter.com/SXZcKMe9gY
— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) March 7, 2023
Obviously, this did not go down well with the NASCAR fans as they found it insulting, especially it coming from Petty. This infuriated the fans as one of them recalled the time Petty called for banning Bubba Wallace last season after he shoved Kyle Larson in Vegas. Back then, he called for Wallace to be suspended for the rest of the year or, as some claimed, “forever.”
Kyle Petty:
Starts- 829
Wins- 8
Top 5- 52
Top 10- 173Ryan Blaney:
Starts- 273
Wins- 7
Top 5- 61
Top 10- 114Freezing cold take here 🥶
But this is this the same guy that wanted Bubba suspended forever, for doing the same thing he did to Davey Allison. So it’s not a surprise. https://t.co/7U5c3Xvq8w
— Couch Racer (@CouchRacerShop) March 7, 2023
It is a known fact that Kyle did not have as good a career as one would have expected him to. Naturally, the fans took that into consideration and fired shots at him accordingly.
If anyone was ever potential unfulfilled it was Kyle Petty.
— Devon Zook (@devon_zook) March 7, 2023
Sounds more like his own career
— Sandra Johnson (@Jollyracer6) March 7, 2023
It has been 14 years since Kyle Petty retired. He struggled to be the most popular figure even during his best days let alone after them. In wake of these Blaney comments, some of them even accused Petty of trying too hard to stay relevant.
Not sure why anyone considers KP relevant anyway.
— John Wetstein (@JWetstein) March 8, 2023
Kyle Petty has become a bomb thrower who is apparently trying to stay relevant because he is not beloved. His book was just awful. He has a history of attacking fans on twitter. It is very sad.
— JECS Jersey Jackas_s (@Oldglorycries) March 8, 2023
Richard Petty’s name is often dragged into such scenarios. It is the same case here. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s name popped up again. Some fans criticized Kyle for not living up to the expectations coming from the Petty family.
That is rich coming from the man that could not even wear his dad's pants, let alone walk in his shoes.
— Michael McBride (@Michael84480121) March 8, 2023
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How many humps did you get over? How far did the Petty name take you? If your name was Kyle Smith, you'd be nobody. You'd be forgotten.
— Clyde (@Grumpy_GenX) March 8, 2023
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Nevertheless, it is interesting to see how Kyle Petty takes this bombardment of criticism from the fans. Will he change his approach while analyzing? Given his track record, it is less likely but we shall see.
WATCH THIS STORY| “Every King Has to Give Up the Throne Eventually” – After Serious Richard Petty Allegations, Jimmie Johnson Responds as NASCAR Fans React