NASCAR hasn’t always been known for brawls, skirmishes or WWE-style fights. While we are used to such antics regularly, back in the day things were different. But, then came the 1979 Daytona 500 race, the first NASCAR race that was televised on TV by CBS. And it completely changed how fans started to view the sport. We all know that Richard Petty won the 1979 Daytona 500 race, but the headlines and the big talk after the race was a fight between Carl Yarborough and Donnie Allison. This was the brawl that put NASCAR on the map and for some reason, the flying fists and scuffle became a regular feature for NASCAR races.
Well, this fight kickstarted a chain reaction. We saw the 2014 infamous Texas brawl between Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski’s camp. Then we have Kyle Busch and Joey Logano getting at each other in Vegas in 2017. The most recent incident was Rowdy Busch getting punched by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at the All-Star race last year at North Wilkesboro. All of these incidents were massive hits among the viewers and they found something more to cheer on over just racing.
Now, was it all theatrics and for a show, nobody can say for sure. But, going by Kyle Petty’s words, he hasn’t seen a real fight since Yarborough and Allison clashed at Daytona in 1979.
Kyle Petty isn’t sold on drivers acting Rowdy
When asked about the most memorable driver brawls, Petty started off diplomatic, saying: “So, listen, I can’t name one because there’s so many.” Alright, Kyle, playing it safe. But then boom!! He threw the equivalent of a haymaker with this: “I’ll take a lot of heat for this, where you say boys will be boys. They had a man fight there in 1979. Yes. With Bobby Allison and Cale. And Cale and Donnie Allison was in it. That was a fight. Everything from that point on has been… Somebody grab me. Keep me out of this fight.”
Well, we’ve often seen one of the drivers throwing a fist or a helmet and then chaos ensues. No one’s really fighting but there’s grabbing and shoving. Interestingly, you’ll also so one of the similar NASCAR officials trying to break the fight up while the drivers are buried under the pile of people or trying to restrain themselves. Kyle Busch ended up with blood on his face in his brawl with Logano and Penkse camp in 2017. But, that wasn’t a fight, at least not for Kyle Petty.
“They doing their arms and they kind of scuffling, but they looking over their shoulder waiting for somebody to pull them off so they can be a man again so they can get pumped up. So I don’t think there’s been a fight in NASCAR since ’79. And that’s just my opinion. That’s just me.” Kyle Petty added.
Meanwhile, Ross Chastain did get a clean punch on Noah Gragson at Kansas Speedway. But as mentioned above, that was the end of it. Multiple people, NASCAR officials break off the fight while the drivers threaten to land more blows. Kevin Harvick himself has been a part of the theatrics but as he grew older these fights and drama were beyond his understanding. “I’m a 47-year-old dad that thinks in this day and age, that stuff looks cheap… We’re not playing hockey.”
But what about Petty himself? Did he ever throw down back in the day? Nope. He learned confrontation from the King himself, Richard Petty, who apparently didn’t need fists to settle a dispute, just an aggressively used index finger. “I think I learned watching my dad. I don’t remember my dad ever being in a physical confrontation. Verbally, he would come and tell you, Darrell Waltrip will tell you, Richard Petty has the longest index finger in the world. When he starts punching you in the chest with it and talking to you, you just stand there and take it and listen to it.”
Well, we’ve seen Rowdy Busch getting hot-tempered ready to spark another fight. However, this past weekend despite being on the losing end of things at COTA, he took the loss with grace. Even appreciated his rival Christopher Bell for not winding up him by using his bumper.
Christopher Bell learned his COTA lesson
There’s been a history between the two drivers particularly at the Austin-based track. Back in 2023, Bell was eager to make passes and roughed up a couple of drivers, one of them being Rowdy Busch. Coming on the to infamous Turn 1 at COTA, he clipped the rear bumper of the No. 8 Chevy and drove off in search of a win. Despite ruffling some feathers and making haste, he could only secure a runner-up finish. And post-race, Kyle Busch was in his face threatening to repay the favor soon.
A year later, Bell found himself in a similar situation only this time Busch was leading the race and he needed to make the pass. He could’ve used the bump and run on Rowdy and get by him but he remembered the 2023 race and was methodical in his approach. Speaking about the scenario he said, “I just had to redeem myself from last year…I think everyone in the garage by this point knows that I’m going to do it the right way. And last year was an oopsie on my part. Glad I didn’t have to do the same thing.”
Meanwhile, Busch also tipped his hat to his former teammate for not spoiling his chance for snaping a 59-race winless streak. “I’ll give Christopher credit… He did a great job working me over and just doing it the right way. He ran hard, and I was a complete b—head… I wish we had a little bit more at the end… I’d love to have equal tires to the 20.”
Well, it’s too early to say whether or not will see an equally calm and toned-down version of Kyle Busch for the rest of the 2025 season. After all, he and his team are desperate for a win and we’ve seen how quickly Rowdy can lose his cool on the racetrack. So do not count out Rowdy just yet.
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