“You Can’t Black Flag the 43!”: When Richard Petty Refused to Come Off the Track That His Son Kyle Despised

Built in 1950, the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina takes a proud stance as one of the first true superspeedways and as a symbol of NASCAR’s great history. The 1.366-mile oval course has challenged and defeated a number of drivers and crews over the years.

With its black asphalt earning it the name ‘The Lady in Black’ and its difficulty earning it the moniker ‘Too Tough To Tame’, the track stands true to both names. This ultimate test has always been disliked by many drivers due to its harsh nature. One among them was NASCAR veteran Kyle Petty. In his time behind the wheel, Darlington was not one of his better tracks. But for his father, Richard Petty, ‘The Lady in Black’ had a sweeter smile.

As the current crop of NASCAR stars awaits their first 2023 playoff season race at Darlington Raceway, let’s take a look back at the differences that the Petty father-son duo had in their outlooks for this ‘unconquerable’ track.

Why was Richard Petty expected to return his No. 43 Darlington that day?

Ahead of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500, “The King” Richard Petty was invited to the track as an honorary pace car driver. Leading the field in his 1967 Plymouth, the aging legend quickly caught the racing bug again and decided to overstay his welcome on the oval.

Since Richard was only the “honorary” pace driver, he was expected to return his No. 43 to the pits after running a lap. But the legend had different ideas in mind. He went on to stay on the track till the actual pace car turned up and had a black flag waved owing to the violation.

NASCAR on NBC recently shared a throwback video on its “X” handle and remembered this amusing incident.

Former NASCAR race director David Hoots can be heard on the radio instructing Richard to head back onto the pit road. But the legend continues without heed, and Kevin Harvick responded, “I don’t blame him. I’d drive that thing around all day!”.

As commentator Clint Bowyer confirms with a laugh, “He didn’t pull off!”, former crew chief Chad Knaus joins in chiming, “That’s awesome!” Jeff Burton finally counters the black flag saying, “Oh, you can’t black flag the 43!!”

Watch Story: Kyle Petty Announces the New Jeff Gordon in Hendrick Motorsports’ Most Dismal Season in 4 Years

The Darlington Raceway had made Richard an honorary pace car driver in commemoration of his incredible feat half a century earlier. He’d won over the track in 1967 after leading the race for an unbelievable 345 of 364 laps. Though it was his only win at the track, it can be said that it did leave quite an impression on him. His son Kyle, however, wouldn’t exactly align his thoughts in parallel.

“As bad as this place is,”  Kyle has a harsher outlook on the track

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Kyle Petty has almost never held back when it comes to expressing his opinions. And he was no different as a driver in his heyday. Speaking to the camera during the 1995 TranSouth Financial 400 Weekend, Kyle expressed his dislike for the track in some pretty heavy words.

Notably, this interview of his came after the track was freshly repaved. And yet, that wasn’t reason enough for him to gain some affinity for it. Considering that the race ended with Kyle crashing his Pontiac and not being able to find the checkered line, his words could carry some well-reflected disappointment behind them.

Speaking about his result after the race, Kyle said, “I hate Darlington”.

When the interviewer stressed asking if he didn’t like the track even after it had been freshly repaved, he declared, “I’ve said it before. I think they ought to fill this place up with water to the outside retaining wall. Dump bass in it and have pro bass tournaments in here.”

“And sell seats on them grandstands right there and let people just watch them fish all day long. I’ll tell you this as bad as this place is you could stock this thing with a million fish and nobody would catch one”

Throughout his career, Kyle Petty never managed to get the better of the track. The Petty family duo stands in extreme opposites as far as Darlington Raceway is concerned. But Kyle Petty can’t be the only one who has a problem with this track, which leaves absolutely no margin for error.

Read More: Richard Petty Has One-Word Response to What Separates Him, Dale Earnhardt & Jimmie Johnson in the Elusive NASCAR Seven-Timer Club

Going into the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the final 16 drivers face an imminent challenge ahead of them. Will it be the leader, William Byron, who comes out on top? Or the experienced Denny Hamlin

Or is the “dark horse,” Michal McDowell, going to end up surprising us once again? Which of them is going to turn out as good as Richard Petty and tame the track will be decided over the coming Sunday. Watch Essentially Sports’ NASCAR page for updates on the race weekend!