SHOCKING NEWS: Richard Petty Declares “I Will No Longer Support NASCAR” – The King Slams Modern Era and Blasts One Driver He Believes “Ruined the Sport,” Leaving the NASCAR Community Stunned and Deeply Worried About the Future of America’s Racing Icon

In a bombshell interview that has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world, seven-time champion and living legend Richard Petty – “The King” – has publicly announced he is withdrawing all support from the sport he helped build, calling today’s NASCAR “unrecognizable” and accusing one unnamed driver of single-handedly “ruining” what was once America’s premier motorsport.

The 88-year-old icon, who has remained largely silent on contemporary NASCAR issues for years, sat down with longtime friend and broadcaster Steve Byrnes Jr. for a rare, no-holds-barred conversation at his Level Cross home. What started as a nostalgic look back at his 200-win career quickly turned into the most scathing indictment of modern NASCAR ever delivered by one of its founding fathers.

With his trademark cowboy hat tilted low and voice steady but heavy with disappointment, Petty delivered the line that has already been replayed millions of times:

“I will no longer support NASCAR. This is not the NASCAR I helped build… and it sure ain’t the one my daddy raced in.”

He continued:

“We used to race. Now they manage batteries, play video games with stages, and let one driver run the show like he owns the place. I’ve watched this kid turn the sport into his personal highlight reel, wreck people on purpose, talk like he’s untouchable, and get away with it every week. He’s ruined it for the real racers – the ones who respect the game. If that’s what NASCAR wants to be, they can have it without me.”

While Petty never named the driver directly, the description – “one driver,” “wreck people on purpose,” “talk like he’s untouchable,” and “get away with it” – immediately pointed fans and insiders to Kyle Larson, the polarizing Hendrick Motorsports star who has dominated headlines with aggressive driving style, multiple on-track incidents, and a reputation for walking the line between fierce competition and controversy.

Larson’s camp has not yet responded publicly, but sources close to Hendrick say the team is “deeply disappointed” by Petty’s remarks and considers them “unfair and out of touch.”

The King’s Full Indictment

Petty did not stop at one driver. He unloaded on nearly every major change NASCAR has made since the early 2000s:

Stage racing: “It’s fake cautions for TV commercials. We raced 500 miles straight. Now they stop the show every 60 laps so sponsors can sell more beer.” Next Gen car: “They made it cheaper to own, but they also made it so every car looks and drives the same. Where’s the personality? Where’s the difference between teams?” Playoffs and elimination format: “We used to crown the champion by who was best all year. Now it’s who gets hot for ten races. That ain’t right.” Track changes and schedule: “They paved Darlington.

They took away Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, Rockingham… places with soul. They gave us street courses and short tracks that don’t even feel like NASCAR.”

He concluded with a line that has already been turned into banners, T-shirts, and protest signs at tracks:

“NASCAR forgot the working man. They forgot the short tracks, the dirt, the families in the stands. They forgot why I raced 1,184 times. And if they keep forgetting, there won’t be anything left worth watching.”

Reaction from the NASCAR World

The response has been swift and divided:

Denny Hamlin (podcast): “When The King speaks, you listen. He’s not wrong about a lot of it. We’ve lost something real.” Kyle Larson (via team statement): “I have tremendous respect for Richard Petty. I disagree with his comments, but I understand he comes from a different era. I race hard and within the rules.” Jim France (NASCAR Chairman): “Mr. Petty is an icon and his voice matters. We are always listening and evolving. NASCAR remains committed to honoring its roots while growing for the future.” Bubba Wallace (X): “The King built this sport.

If he’s disappointed, we all need to look in the mirror.” Joey Logano (post-race interview): “Richard Petty is NASCAR. If he’s saying this, something’s broken.”

Social media is on fire. #PettyWasRight and #SaveNASCAR are trending No. 1 globally. Fans have flooded tracks with signs reading “Bring Back The King’s NASCAR” and “No More Stages – Real Racing.” Old-school fans are sharing photos of classic cars at Darlington and North Wilkesboro, while younger fans defend the modern product as “more competitive and exciting.”

At 88, Richard Petty doesn’t need headlines. But he just created the biggest one NASCAR has seen in decades.

The sport he helped build is now forced to confront a painful question: Has it lost its soul?

And if The King won’t support it anymore… who will?