Kyle Petty’s first race was Daytona… and he’d never driven a race car

Kyle Petty joins Racers Unchained for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in the Petty family, working in the race shop, and chasing his dream of becoming a race car driver.

Kyle shares the unbelievable story of his first experience behind the wheel of a race car – going to Daytona at 18 years old despite having never driven a race car or even a go-kart. His first laps around Daytona came with his dad Richard Petty behind the wheel, Kyle sitting on the floor of the car and hanging onto the roll bars as they reached nearly 200 mph.

Kyle also talks to Paul Tracy about the years he spent learning every part of the race car, from welding and fabrication to engines and bodywork, and why that hands-on experience shaped his approach to racing. He reflects on winning at Daytona, his eight NASCAR Cup Series victories, the differences between the drivers of his generation and today's young racers, and why he believes respect, patience and race craft have changed over the years.

The conversation covers NASCAR safety and the evolution of the HANS device, SAFER barriers and cockpit design, including Kyle's perspective following the loss of his son Adam Petty. Kyle discusses how NASCAR became much more proactive about safety, his longtime motorcycle charity ride, the incredible work of Victory Junction, and raising millions of dollars to give children life-changing camp experiences. He opens up about his family, raising his young sons, motorcycles, and why he's reached a point in life where he's comfortable saying no and simply enjoying the things that matter most.