Following the race, Kyle Petty compared Joey Logano to Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Getting compared to Dale Earnhardt Sr. is pretty much the highest praise a NASCAR driver can receive, but it’s also a polarizing statement, especially given how Logano is already a dividing figure in the sport.
However, much like Joey Logano today, Dale Earnhardt Sr. too was constantly booed during his early years. Of course, this narrative has subsequently been retconned after his death in an effort to portray him as a gentle giant, but the two drivers drew similar reactions from fans.
And much like Earnhardt Sr. did, Joey Logano didn’t let the boos soften his stance. He continued to race hard, even paying the consequences at times. That earned him respect from his fanbase, which has been steadily growing, with many seeing him and Kyle Busch as the Earnhardts and Pettys of this generation.
Such high praise from a veteran of the sport and the son of NASCAR’s “King” Richard Petty is validation of how far the Penske driver has come and how much respect he commands from the rest of the garage.
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