Tony Stewart “Had to Stick Up” for Danica Patrick After ‘Resentful’ NASCAR Legend’s Disparaging Comments Almost a Decade Back

Danica Patrick has broken a lot of glass ceilings in her time in NASCAR and IndyCar. Being a trailblazer sure does take strong will and a lot of perseverance, but it also needs external support. Support to grow and flourish. During all her time in NASCAR, she had the constant backing of one person – Tony Stewart, her team owner.

Richard Petty, also called The King, is undoubtedly one of the most renowned names of NASCAR. His 7 NASCAR Cup Series Championship wins are yet to be eclipsed decades after he set the record. Later on, he founded his own team in the 1990s. While he no longer owns a stake in the team, the team continues to carry his name – showing how instrumental he is to NASCAR history.

But in 2014 he riled up a lot of people with his comments on Danica Patrick. The times were quite different from today, and by extension so were the responses. But one man stood strong in Danica’s corner – Tony Stewart. In an interview with Sports Illustrated that year, he was asked about the incident.

Dan Patrick asked him, “Did you feel like you had to stick up for Danica Patrick, who drives on your team, when Richard Petty said she couldn’t win unless everyone stayed home?” Stewart replied, “I did it because it was right. Richard doesn’t know what it’s like to drive in this series right now. There’s still some ill feelings out there toward her.” “You mean because she’s a woman?” Dan further asked.

“I think so. And the attention she gets. She’s got a great sponsor with GoDaddy in an era when it’s hard to find sponsors. I think there’s resentment. She’s a racer, a lot more than [Richard] gives her credit for. She’s learning and progressing. She’ll figure it out,” said Stewart.

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In 2022, these comments would’ve received a more universal backlash but even by the standards of 2014, those comments reeked of casual sexism. Why more people didn’t respond to those comments will stay unknown.

What did Richard “The King” Petty say about Danica Patrick in 2014?

Danica Patrick was racing for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. She had just become the first woman to grab a pole position in the Daytona 500; she ended the race in the eighth position.

Petty said, “If everybody else stayed home [when asked if she could win the Xfinity Series]. If she’d have been a male, nobody would ever know if she’d showed up at a racetrack. This is a female deal that’s driving her. There’s nothing wrong with that, because that’s good PR for me. More fans come out, people are more interested in it. She has helped to draw attention to the sport, which helps everybody in the sport.”

It wasn’t the first time Petty Sr had made comments on this line for the female driver. In 2006, he said “I just don’t think it’s a sport for women. And so far, it’s proven out. It’s really not. It’s good for them to come in. It gives us a lot of publicity, it gives them publicity.”

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Kyle Petty, Richard Petty’s son had also made similar comments about Patrick’s involvement in NASCAR – and like a rerun of the 2014 episode – Tony Stewart had come to her defense. Disappointing from the Pettys, commendable from Stewart. What’s your opinion on the saga?