While the playoff action is headed to Kansas Speedway for an exciting where Trackhouse Racing‘s Daniel Suarez has had success in the past, Richard Petty gave his thoughts on the driver’s Darlington disappointment. Reflecting on the Mexican’s late tangle with the HMS car, “The King” stated the obvious, pointing out the #48’s fault.

The #99 driver certainly isn’t having the best season so far, missing out the playoff window, Suarez, who was eying a top-10 finish was stopped in his tracks. While the Hendrick Motorsports star Kyle Laron claimed his first-ever win in Darlington, his teammate resorted to an alleged “dumb move” that eventually took out both drivers.

The community actively discussed the tussle between the driver with veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr giving his take. However, unlike Dale Jr, who analyzed the incident diplomatically, Richard Petty was more direct in slamming the HMS driver.

Richard “The King” Petty slams Rick Hendrick’s driver over Darlington row

Despite missing the playoffs Daniel Suarez and Trackhouse Racing’s #99 team were determined to finish the season strong. However, the #99 driver could only collect 3 measly points after an encounter with Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports left both drivers in shambles.

With 49 laps remaining, the playoff outcasts were battling for the 8th spot when Bowman, who was in the front, decided to block the #99’s advance. The block was so aggressive that it caused the #48 driver to move down more than 2 lanes just to stop Suarez’s advance. As the Mexican tried another attempt, this time from the outside, he was blocked again.

In the ensuing chaos, Suarez slammed the HMS Chevy into the wall, ending both drivers’ day in the worst way possible. Reflecting on the whole fiasco, NASCAR great, Richard Petty chimed in when a fan asked him his take. Joining his championship-winning crew chief, Dale Inman, Petty bluntly said, “To me, it was all the #48’s(Alex Bowman) fault because he was blocking and the #99 had nothing to do with it.” 

Before concluding, the legend also detailed the whole sequence, saying, “Okay, the way I’ve seen it, I was at the racetrack and then I watched it on TV also, the #99come up on the #48 and they were coming down the straightaway so the #99 moved over to pass him on the inside, the #48 moves over in front of him and as quick as the #48 moves over then the #99 retaliates and he’s gonna turn right and pass him on the right.” 

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Sunday’s late crash between the #48 and #99 Chevys has been the talk of the town this week. And it certainly has caught the attention of analysts and veterans including the JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Jr, who was witnessing the whole episode unfold from the commentary booth.

Oddly enough, Junior took an interesting stance over the whole fiasco. Instead of slamming Bowman for his aggressive blocks, the veteran deployed a more diplomatic approach to even things between the drivers. Though the veteran has the #48 responsible for the whole incident, he does not think Bowman threw in a 2nd block to the right.

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When his co-host asked him, “You don’t think Bowman blocked to the right?” Dale Jr said, “I really don’t, I think Bowman was just trying to get back on the straight away to enter turn 1.” While the 48-year-old believes Bowman is more responsible he also said that Suarez could’ve avoided getting himself wrecked when he retaliated.

With experts like Richard Petty and Dale Jr giving us their takes, what do you think? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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