In NASCAR, age often highlights the sport’s deep generational ties. Kyle Petty, now 65, and his father Richard Petty, 88, embody that continuum better than most. Their names carry weight not just for their on-track accomplishments but also for the history they represent. Yet, for all their racing heritage, the father-son duo also shows just how wide the generational gap can feel away from the track. In a recent interview, Kyle revealed this divide in a candid moment.

The Petty family has long stood at the heart of NASCAR. Lee Petty laid the foundation, and Richard became “The King” with 200 victories and seven championships. Kyle continued the legacy both as a driver and commentator. Adam Petty, Kyle’s son, seemed set to carry the torch before tragedy struck in 2000 as he departed. But despite their legacy, even legends wrestle with change. Recently, Kyle’s confession offered a lighthearted glimpse into their lives. The story painted a hilarious picture of father and son caught up in technology.

A glimpse into Richard Petty’s new age struggles

In an interview, Kyle admitted that trying to teach Richard Petty modern tools is often harder than it sounds. “It’s tough for me too, (to) bring him up to speed when I’m not.” He recalled one race day when Richard juggled TV coverage with a computer displaying lap times until the screen froze. “He’s mashing buttons and beating on, doing the thing. And he calls for me.” Kyle tried the same, only for Morgan to find out that the kids had unplugged the router. Kyle further explained this technological gap by recalling another example of the King’s old school habits.

“So you’re asking me to teach him technology. He takes an index card and writes down all his information on it. He carries it in his wallet. He’ll get it out, and he calls it a blueberry…He calls it ‘This is my blueberry, it tells me where to be all the time.’ So that’s the extent.” Kyle said. Even in an age where data pours in real time, the King still leans on tradition.

Kyle summed this up perfectly with a humbling admission that came with a laugh. “We are still paper and pen,” he said. More than a joke, it was a recognition of identity. In a sport where split-second data now dictates strategy, the Pettys stand as a reminder that some traditions endure. The phrase, delivered with humility, was not just about technology. It was about family, history, and the balance between progress and heritage.

Today, Richard remains an ambassador for Legacy Motor Club. Kyle has carved out his own legacy through broadcasting and the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The event raised $1.4 million this summer for Victory Junction, a camp for children with serious illnesses. The Petty lineage continues to shape NASCAR, but stories like the “blueberry” ensure that their legacy is rooted in the traditional way, not only in victories and titles, but also in laughter and family moments that outlast the finish line.

The King’s bold take on the NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR’s Next Gen car continues to split opinion across the sport’s landscape. Richard Petty, a seven-time Cup Series champion, just added his voice. Despite mounting debates over the quality of racing, he cautions that there’s no single fix to restore the action fans crave. In a recent discussion, The King said, “I don’t think there’s any one thing… there is a combination that will make the cars better. But right now, I don’t think anybody’s got it figured out.” This sets the stage for a deeper dive into his concerns.

Digging into specifics, Petty targeted the tire situation at Richmond Raceway. He argued it shifted teams’ focus from racing to strategy. He lamented, “When they throwed the green flag, everybody said, ‘OK, what are we going to do on tires’. Not ‘what are we going to do racing each other?’” This pointed critique underscores a belief that racecraft is the heart of compelling competition.

Petty’s criticism didn’t stop there. He also condemned extreme tire fall-off, calling it detrimental to the sport. “With that much fall-off, it just really kills the race.” He advocated for simple consistency. Select a few durable tire types and stick to them throughout the season. Rather than constantly experimenting with compounds that undercut on-track battles. This remark adds another layer to his concern that the sport is losing substance to manufactured spectacle.

Taken together, Petty’s remarks reflect a deeper frustration with NASCAR’s direction. He doesn’t just critique individual technical elements. He’s warning that the essence of stock car racing is slipping away. By elevating strategy and tires above racing itself, the Cup Series drifts farther from its roots. Petty’s indictment is not just about cars or tires. It’s about preserving the identity of the sport.