Kyle Petty on Blast

Recently Kyle Petty stated that Ryan Blaney is the new Kasey Kahne and this comment has not been taken lightly by fans. Many are quick to question the legitimacy of the claim due to Petty’s inability to live up to his name, but I am all for this. While the claim itself may not be the best analogy, I’m glad it was said.

Everyone talks about NASCAR’s lack of media presence and decking viewership and think it all relates to the on track product. And while that’s a variable in this equation, there’s more to it. When thinking about the three major sports of the United States, you can probably find a show talking about them at any given time on any given day, but NASCAR doesn’t have that. The only show that talks about NASCAR is Fox’s RaceHub.

The problem with RaceHub is that it’s a news broadcast, not a show. The panel of analysts will simply sit there and tell nothing but wholesale facts. Facts don’t get people to have conversations or arguments because there’s no substance.

If you were to go on ESPN, you could find sports analysts like Max Kellerman and Stephen A Smith spending an entire 25 minute segment arguing over one topic. These people argue so much that it creates conversation that may have never existed. They say things that we question if they even believe, but they will defend it like their life depends on it.

That is what NASCAR needs. The sport needs people to show off their passion more than just on the track. If something questionable happens, whether it be from NASCAR or from a driver, they should be called out on it. I want to see a clip of Kyle Petty arguing with someone that a driver isn’t as good as he should be. Instead we’re left with things just being said as if there is no substance to NASCAR, as if there’s nothing but whole truths.

This is the first time I’ve seen people argue over what an analyst has said within the sport. At least 20 different accounts I follow on twitter we’re putting some sort of input on the situation. That is the first step to making NASCAR mainstream. The next step is consistently having these conversations to the point where they reach different social pockets.

If we want the sport to be mainstream, it has to be talked about. That’s what makes Kyle Petty’s statement so good for the sport. It could be the first real step to change, but only time will tell.