Home/NASCAR
Home/NASCAR
feature-image

via Imago

feature-image

via Imago

For Erik Jones, the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway was more than just another superspeedway race. It was his last chance to secure a playoff berth. In the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, it was a shot that required nothing less than a victory. While Jones ran near the front late in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, an aggressive bump from Kyle Larson, who is already safely locked into the postseason, sent his No. 43 Chevrolet wobbling several times. Jones held on to finish fifth, but his playoff hopes ended in disappointment. The fallout between the drivers, however, stretched well beyond the finish line. The disagreement has now attracted advice from NASCAR legend Richard Petty himself.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

In his latest discussion on Petty Family Racing on YouTube, a fan asked him: “Should Erik put Larson into the wall the next time the opportunity presents itself?” Petty, who serves as an ambassador at Legacy Motor Club, addressed the controversy involving his driver, Jones: “No, Erik don’t drive like that. You know what I mean? It’s over with. Okay, that was last week. Forget it. Let’s go on down the road.”

The King’s words struck a balance between discipline and encouragement. It reminded Jones to focus on the bigger picture rather than seeking revenge for a single moment. Dale Inman agreed with Petty. “Yeah, Larson was just real aggressive, maybe three or four laps too early. And what I was thinking that he’s not going to push Erik to win because that would have put the 48 [Alex Bowman] out.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

While Petty has shared his thoughts, all is not well between Jones and Larson. In the days that followed the incident, Larson defended his action as a way to keep the outside lane moving. Meanwhile, Jones called the shoves “a little aggressive” and wondered if they had actually slowed his line instead of helping. Social media piled on with calls for retaliation. This fueled speculation that the Daytona incident might carry into future races.

article-image

via Imago

However, in telling Jones to move forward, Petty protected his driver from the pitfalls of vendetta racing. He also set a standard for how his team represents itself on the sport’s biggest stage. Looking ahead, Jones and the Legacy Motor Club will regroup for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington. There, the focus will shift back to results on track rather than lingering frustration. With Petty’s guidance in mind, the No. 43 team has a chance to turn disappointment into renewed resolve.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The King puts beloved prototype up for auction

Richard Petty‘s legacy in NASCAR has long been intertwined with the iconic 1970 Plymouth Superbird. This was a purpose-built aero car that helped “The King” score eight wins in its single season of competition. This remarkable racing heritage has resurfaced recently, but with a twist. A modern rendition of the Superbird, crafted by Petty’s Garage and Heide Performance Products, is now heading to auction.

Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports

Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports

This vehicle isn’t the original 1970 legend. It’s a 2009 Dodge Challenger-based tribute, reimagined as a Superbird prototype. Built in limited numbers, it blends classic styling with modern performance. One of these rare prototypes has resurfaced, giving enthusiasts a chance to own a slice of Petty’s storied past, while raising the question of why it’s being sold now.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Petty’s Garage teamed up with Heide Performance to transform a third-gen Dodge Challenger SRT8 into a modern Superbird with a nose-cone, high rear wing, and hidden headlights. One of the prototype cars, draped in orange and black livery, is now up for auction. It features a 5.7-liter V8 with Magnuson supercharger, six-speed manual gearbox, and custom ribbed leather interior with an orange gradient and pistol-grip shifter.

With 30,566 miles on its odometer, this specific prototype was last sold in 2020 for approximately $44,250 on the same platform. Now, the car is back on the market. This suggests that Petty sees this as a strategic opportunity. The auction runs through August 28, 2025, at 3:19 p.m. ET.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT