Can Two 7-Time Champs Co-Exist at LMC?

What’s Happening?

Arguably two of the greatest driver’s in NASCAR’s history are butting heads at the former Petty GMS Racing and now Legacy Motor Club. Petty seems to have some hurt feelings over just how quickly he had been stripped of power at his old team with another 7-time champion taking the reigns.

“Jimmie controls everything,” he said during the conference. “It’s been strange to me. Most of the time, I ran the majority of the show. Jimmie brought all his people in. His way in running things and my way of running things are probably a little bit different. We probably agree on about 50 percent of what it really comes down to.”

These comments come after Jimmie bought into the organization during the offseason with intentions to run a partial schedule in the No. 84 car.

You Need to Know

• Richard Petty is one of the oldest and most celebrated car owners in NASCAR history. Through several mergers, most recently with GMS, his power in the organization had decreased over time.
• Jimmie Johnson is new to the ownership side of things and seems to be bringing a fresh perspective to the executives at the team. He will also be competing for the team in the No. 84 in Sunday’s Daytona 500, rolling off in the 28th position.
• Petty and Johnson both have large fan bases with many NASCAR fans favoring Johnson this Sunday.

Main Characters

Richard Petty is a 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and 200-time race winner. Below he compares Jimmie to a rookie for his lack of experience in the NextGen car:

Richard Petty says Jimmie Johnson, who will get laps in a Next Gen car Wednesday at Phoenix under NASCAR’s test provision that allows an elite driver from another series to get laps, says Johnson will be like a rookie as the car is so different than the previous Cup car. pic.twitter.com/g9BVqxM7fo

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 21, 2023

Most recent 7-time champion, Jimmie Johnson reacts:

After two yeas in IndyCar, did a Cup car seem slow for Jimmie Johnson? And his reaction to Richard Petty saying he would be like a rookie since he had never driven a Next Gen car: pic.twitter.com/Dc0BQVdygR

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 24, 2023

Petty claims that the newly-formed Legacy Motor Club is more of Johnson’s people than his:

'Twas the morning before the #Daytona500, when all through the track all of the racecars were stirring… pic.twitter.com/P79a5E2zrr

— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LegacyMotorclub) February 18, 2023

In The Stands

The comments from the elder 7-time champion rocked through the NASCAR world and fans didn’t hesitate to react:

Nine November has their say:

Adrean L. C. has some criticisms of Petty’s comments:

And Landon Braugh is inclined to agree:

While this Reddit user is more sympathetic to the Royalty of NASCAR:

From The Press Box

Kenny Wallace took to Twitter to comment on Petty’s comments regarding Johnson’s apparently ruthless takeover:

My thoughts on the great #RichardPetty The KING and his comments today in @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/5F41fnE3xl

— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) February 18, 2023

Josh Stewart on Twitter has his say:

Maybe #RichardPetty is ticked off w/ press releases that start with: “@LegacyMotorClub owners Maury Gallagher and @JimmieJohnson, along with Team Ambassador Richard Petty…” When I started seeing those I thought they were disrespectful. #NASCAR #NASCAR75 https://t.co/zXXUq6UfVJ

— Josh Stewart (@joshstewartnews) February 18, 2023

Nate Ryan updates his comments:

UPDATED with @APgelston's interview of @JimmieJohnson, who reacted to Richard Petty's earlier comments about his diminished role at @LegacyMotorclub.https://t.co/HeXznNXcpb

— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) February 18, 2023

Dustin Long reports that Petty feels “weird” about the whole mess:

"The King" says it's been a "weird" adjustment to being in a reduced team role this season. "Jimmie brought all his people in, and his way of running things (and) my way of running things, are probably a little bit different." https://t.co/csf5YT47Jc

— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) February 18, 2023

Petty’s comments about Johnson has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community. It’ll be interesting to see where things go from here.