In NASCAR, few names are held in as much esteem as Richard Petty. With a remarkable 200 race wins and seven Cup championships, Petty’s legacy is sewn into the borders of NASCAR. Nicknamed ‘The King,’ Petty’s influence has spread beyond the racetrack and into pop culture. Who can get over the cowboy hat and sunglasses? His car, the iconic blue 1970 Plymouth Superbird, was a part of the President’s rally. His involvement with Disney is remarkable, with Petty voicing the character Strip “The King” Weathers in the Cars franchise. Well, how does it feel to know that the car was his own character in a movie? If being iconic has limitations, then King Petty flies from dimension to dimension without a spaceship! 

A recent tribute to the King comes from American country pop icon Morgan Wallen. The Tennessee native was coming into the limelight with a voice akin to gravel and a Billboard record unmatched by many. From The Voice in 2014, to his chartbusters of 2023, things have looked on the upper half of the glass. And now he paid homage to NASCAR’s true royalty through a lyrical tribute.

Country hip-hop passes King Petty’s vibe check

On April 18, 2025, Morgan Wallen released “I Ain’t Comin’ Back“ featuring Post Malone. The track comes from Wallen’s upcoming 37-track album I’m The Problem, which is set to be released on May 16. The chorus contains Wallen observing a moment of personal metamorphosis likened to that of Petty’s in NASCAR lore. The song lyric states, “But the night I said, ‘I’m leaving,’ I turned into Richard Petty.” These surprises have got fans on both sides buzzing, thereby highlighting the lasting influence of Petty’s legacy. And Petty also dealt with it in the most Gen-Z manner possible!

When Petty saw his name referenced in the song, he made a post on Instagram to thank Wallen, captioned: “Thanks for the shoutout @morganwallen”. The Wallen and Post Malone collaboration serves as an essential occurrence in the fusion of country and hip-hop. Their past song “I Had Some Help” shattered records, topping charts, and paved the way for this new release. Adding Petty’s name behind this collaboration further intertwines NASCAR with the music industry. King Petty’s influence covers far and wide. And, it’s not just his interest in music and the country lifestyle. The NASCAR world still has the biggest investment from the veteran and his family.

Richard Petty is still an ambassador for Legacy Motor Club, formerly Petty GMS Motorsports, where he continues to promote the sport and help usher in the next generation of drivers. Even though it looks like everything related to operations and the team progressing is on the shoulders of 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, King Petty continues to show up for events and to support the team. But, do you know what’s more interesting? The implications behind tributes to Petty.

Morgan Wallen’s nods to Petty speak to how the impact of a man who ruled the track has gone on to touch artists well beyond rustic bounds, well above a generation. After all, Petty himself participated in the album “NASCAR Goes Country” in 1975, alongside other top NASCAR drivers, demonstrating the strong overlap between racing and country music culture at the time. These tributes tell us about a fair possibility. Old school bangers have been replaced by modern music in most countries worldwide. Maybe Richard Petty’s influence saved Country Music. Even though it is not spoken of, his contribution to the authentic American-ness cannot be sidelined. But what is the King of NASCAR currently up to?

The NASCAR chronicles continue for the Petty Family

Folks, the next generation of the Petty family drivers is finally here! It is Thad Moffitt, the ARCA Menards Series and Trans Am racer. He is the 4th generation of the racing royalty, being the son of Rebecca Petty and the grandson of King Richard Petty. And do you know what makes it evident? The number! Yes, Lee Petty rode the #42, Richard drove the #43, and Moffitt, the #46! You know, to make his grandson contest in the Truck Series, Petty announced a team in 2023. And by God’s grace, it is not Legacy Motor Club.

The team is Faction46, and Moffitt is currently running the Truck Series for them. It’s great to see the next generation of racers taking the baton. However, one thing is very concerning: keeping legacies alive. See, youngsters like Kyle Busch‘s son Brexton and Kyle Larson’s son Owen are already screaming ‘born to be a star’ through their performances in the various races they are taking part in. But they are too young to conclude. One comparable contender is Ty Gibbs, the grandson of Coach Joe Gibbs. And we all know what the NASCAR world thinks about him.

Incompetence leads to a spoiled family reputation. Coach Gibbs is caught between a rock and a hard place. We hope Moffitt does not do the same to King Petty. But what are your thoughts? Will he rise to NASCAR glory, or will he be outshone by future stars like Connor Zilisch? Let us know in the comments below.