In the debut of NBC Sports’ new NASCAR podcast, analyst Kyle Petty joins for a wide-ranging and freewheeling discussion of the major issues facing Sprint Cup entering the 2016 season.
With Sprint Cup star Tony Stewart‘s status uncertain because of a fractured back, Petty offered his view of the three-time champion’s recent stretch of misfortune. He also explained how drivers struggle to get over accidents involving death, noting his father, Richard, struggled with a 1965 drag-racing accident in which an 8-year-old fan was killed.
“He’d just leave the house for hours and walk through the woods and question whether what he was doing was what he should be doing,” Kyle Petty said.
Other topics covered in the podcast:
- Does Stewart have a point that drivers need to be more outspoken to NASCAR chairman Brian France?
- Who will fill the voids left by the departure of superstars Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart?
- A comparison of Matt Kenseth to a wily veteran pitcher in Major League Baseball.
- Why the discussion suddenly has thawed about team charters and bringing a de-facto system franchising to NASCAR.
- Petty’s experience in running the day-to-day operations at Petty Enterprises … and why he might like to get back into team management.
- A wonderful story about the time Lee Petty was chastised for spending too much money on a trip to New York.
- A rundown of how he approaches his job on race weekends and during the week.
You can listen to the podcast by clicking below or download and subscribe to it on iTunes by clicking here.
