WATCH: Richard Petty Predicted the Decline of NASCAR After It Copied NBA, NFL & Became a “Small Fish in a Big Pond”

Published 08/17/2022, 2:25 PM EDT

Fans have debated whether playoffs are good ever since NASCAR introduced the system in 2004. But, The King, Richard Petty, was on the other end of the spectrum.

Of course, the fans still question the playoff system of winning the Cup Series Championship. But, the seven-time Cup Series Champion was against the move from the beginning.

In fact, he even predicted the decline of NASCAR as soon as they made the big announcement in January 2004.

Article continues below this ad

Petty said, “NASCAR racing got where it’s at because we did things different than other people. We had a different ball game in town. We did not have playoffs, we didn’t have drafts, we didn’t have they had so we got where we’re at because of that.”

Of course, NASCAR racing differs greatly from any other motorsport. The King isn’t wrong about that. And we recognize it for the unique racing. However, it is also true that the lines have gotten blurred over the years.

He added, “We are jumping right in the swimming pool with everybody else, so we’re going to be a small fish in a big pond.”

Of course, Richard might be right since they took the playoff system from other sporting series. While the aerodynamic features which include drafting are prominent in all other motorsports, including formula one.

“They Don’t Even Speak to Us” – Spotter Brett Griffin Reveals the Dark Side of NASCAR but Thanks the Hero Among Them

But, what do you think? Did the playoffs really cause the decline? Or does it make NASCAR even better?

Whatever the answer may be, playoffs are now the reality of NASCAR, and we can’t change that. Fortunately for The King, he’s happy with the progress of his Cup Series team!

Richard Petty Thinks Petty GMS Is Going In The Right Direction

Irrespective of what Richard Petty thinks about the playoff system, it seems to treat his team well. And he’s quite happy with the progression of Petty GMS racing!

Petty told FOX News, “We’re a lot better off this year than we were last year.”

Article continues below this ad

He added, “You’ve got to figure when one team gets involved with another team, it takes a little while to get everybody on the same page.”

“So it’s taken us probably about half a year to sort of get everybody to understand both sides of the team, and this team is coming together.”

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Spotter Sheds Light on the “Great Opportunity” Toyota Could Have with Kyle Busch & Kurt Busch

It’s great that Petty GMS is doing well, and their performance surely is proof of that. Will we see a driver of the team win a race anytime soon?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Hetul Katyal is an F1-NASCAR web stories creator at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his degree in Journalism from the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, he is an avid supporter of Carlos Sainz and Scuderia Ferrari. Hetul always looks forward to the paddock going to Baku, but the part of F1 that excites him the most, is seeing the drivers tackle the 'Raidillon' at Spa.

Edited by:

Ranvijay Singh

WATCH: Richard Petty Predicted the Decline of NASCAR After It Copied NBA, NFL & Became a “Small Fish in a Big Pond”

Richard Petty Thinks Petty GMS Is Going In The Right Direction

Trending

Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $61 Million Arrival in Talladega Saw Unusual Absence of Wife Yvette Prieto

Why Did the Washington Mystics Pass on Angel Reese? Insider Spills the Beans on Chicago Sky Star’s #6 Pick Snub

Even After Damian Lillard’s “Personal Issues” Admission, Charles Barkley Delivers Gut Punch to Giannis-Less Bucks

“Do White Girls Get Silk Presses?”: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s WNBA Draft Attires Get Judged by Notable Columnist

“Sh*tlock”: NBA Champion Stephen Jackson Blasts Controversial Reporter Jason Whitlock Over Dawn Staley Remarks