Kyle Petty says Darlington 'was made' for guys like Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick
Kyle Petty watched in amazement while seeing what Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick did at Darlington on Sunday.
While Reddick led a lion-share of laps in Stage 3, it was Larson who got the victory in the Southern 500, and clinched his spot in the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs. Afterward, Petty was enthralled with the driving capabilities of both Larson and Reddick, after watching them ride the wall in a top-notch performance at Darlington.
“I look at Tyler Reddick, and I look at Kyle Larson. Kyle Larson is just, that place was built for him and Tyler Reddick,” said Petty. “Right up next to the wall, a couple of inches away. Beating and banging off the wall, but never really slowing down. That’s that sprint car. That’s that midget-type racing, that those guys grew up on.
“Great to see what those guys could do, and Kyle Larson checks the Southern 500 off his list.”
In the end, Larson captured his third win of the season, and another one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels can be added to his trophy case. He’s had some tough luck in 2023, and could easily have more wins on his record, but he’s in a great spot for another title moving forward regardless.
As for Reddick, his pit crew has let him down on more than one occasion in 2023, but he can’t say that after Sunday’s race. More wins will come to the No. 45 if he continues to race the way he did at Darlington, but that won’t take the sting of coming so very close away anytime soon.
We’ll see what Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick can do this weekend, and if we’re in for an encore performance at Kansas from the two stud drivers.
Kyle Petty calls Joey Logano a ‘big winner’ after Darlington
Meanwhile, Kyle Petty recognized Joey Logano as one of the biggest winners during Sunday’s NASCAR Playoff opener at Darlington.
The reigning NASCAR champion dealt with a myriad of issues throughout the race, including Bubba Wallace spinning into him. However, he was able to come home in P12, an awesome finish considering everything he went through during the race.
“I looked at yesterday and I thought, another big winner yesterday, Joey Logano,” explained Petty. “Those guys struggled. They set the front toe. They set the rear toe. He hung in there. They came out with a twelfth-place finish.”
Alas, Logano might not have won the race, but he did more than enough to keep his repeat dream alive. It hasn’t been the best season for the Team Penske wheelman following his championship, but it’s anyone’s game come the NASCAR Playoffs.
Joey Logano gave his team a shot moving forward with his gritty performance. Now, he’ll look to keep the ball rolling, with Kansas on the docket.