Richard Petty Turns 88!

^{July 03, 2025 | Edition #197}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

After all the chaos and close calls at EchoPark Speedway, the action now heads to Chicago, possibly for the last time, if this tip on a San Diego street race is true. And, with the playoffs right around the corner, the pressure’s building. But to lighten the mood, Dale Jr. and iRacing are bringing some fun to the fans with his latest dive into the world of gaming.

We’ve also got something special lined up: an exclusive chat with the second-ever U.S. Marine to race in NASCAR, a driver competing not just for wins, but for something bigger. And off the track, we’re celebrating Richard Petty’s 88th birthday.

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NASCAR 25 Might Be the Game Fans Deserve

For years, NASCAR gaming on consoles has been stuck with clunky physics, underwhelming graphics, and let’s be honest… NASCAR 21: Ignition didn’t do the genre any favors. It’s been hard to get excited about stock car racing games until now. And for that, we’ve got iRacing to thank.

Later this year, iRacing is launching its first-ever standalone console game, NASCAR 25, and early signs are promising. For those unfamiliar, iRacing has long been considered the gold standard for racing sims on PC—and now it’s bringing that same pedigree to consoles.

Even drivers are getting hyped. After trying out the game, Noah Gragson took to social media to share just how impressed he was.

“Just played the new @iRacing NASCAR video game. I gotta say, impressed is an understatement! It is a true racing game with good physics. Haven’t played a NASCAR game this good for 10+ years. This game will revive NASCAR console gaming. I’m so hyped! Great work to everyone involved!!”

Fans have every reason to be cautious. After disappointing games from developers such as 704 Games, who rolled out titles like NASCAR: Heat and NASCAR 21: Ignition, motorsports enthusiasts are taking every comment with a pinch of salt. But Gragson wasn’t alone in praising iRacing’s new game.

“Got to play NASCAR 25 from the @iRacing team… It’s the real deal. Feels great, looks great, and I really think it’s gonna get a lot of new people hooked on NASCAR. Kudos to everyone who worked on this,” said Sammy Smith. Gragson, Smith, and even Ty Majeski were a part of testing. Sammy even shared a behind-the-scenes video of them enjoying the game. Watch here.

Even Andrew Kurland chimed in after logging some virtual laps.

“I just got the chance to run a few laps on the @Nascar25Game … the looks, the physics, the sounds… It’s all spot on.” 

With a release window set for late September or early October, this might finally be the game NASCAR fans have been waiting for. And after a series of disappointments, we’ve earned it.

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🗝️ From the Vault

The Road Course Car That Never Was

NASCAR is all about tradition. We’re talking about ovals, left turns, and stock cars. It’s what makes the sport we all love. But that’s not what it looked like back in the day. In 1985, the sport was looking to expand beyond its southern roots and devised a bold plan to have street races in major cities of the U.S.

They called it the ‘Left-Right Series’. The plan was simple. To pull it off, they would need a newer, lighter car because there was no way the 3,700-pound stock cars would have been able to make those tight turns at Long Beach or Detroit.

So, the L-R car was supposed to fix that. We’re referring to Ford Mustangs, Chevy Cavaliers, and Pontiac Sunbirds. Smaller vehicles that were ready for city streets, like Laguna Seca Raceway or Watkins Glen.

NASCAR meant business and even built prototypes. They even got Dale Earnhardt and Bobby Allison to test them in ‘86, and the early reviews weren’t exactly positive. ‘The Intimidator’ thought the vehicles were too front-heavy, while Allison joked, “Boy, that thing went left and right and right and left on the straightaways.” But the sanctioning body didn’t give up, and continued tweaking.

And by the time Allison tested the Buick Somerset-based version, it was lighter, better balanced, and ready to take on road courses. Here, take a closer look at the L-R car, and watch Earnhardt’s “improvement” related comments on the same.

NASCAR already had a plan in place. Five races in 1987 with cities like New York, San Francisco, and Dallas on the calendar. Bill France Jr. made it clear they weren’t messing around, saying, “We’re brainstorming right now, but we’re very sincere about this.”

On July 2, 1985, NASCAR made the announcement, and the Associated Press reported the same. Here’s a paper cutting of the same.

It was all coming together. San Francisco’s officials were on board, and NASCAR even scouted spots like Candlestick Park’s parking lot and the waterfront. Even a Tacoma, Washington street course got a trial run with a lower-level series.

But then it all fell apart. Riverside Raceway didn’t shut down right away, while Sonoma and Phoenix upgraded their facilities. And all of a sudden, the need for a whole new series didn’t feel urgent anymore. And, just like that, the Left-Right project disappeared into obscurity.

Fast forward to the present day, and NASCAR has five road course races in the 2025 calendar and one street race. But it’s hard not to wonder how things might have evolved if they pulled the L-R trigger back then. In hindsight, the Left-Right car seemed ahead of its time, or just an odd chapter in NASCAR’s wild history.

Continue Reading: “Can’t Shame Someone Into Sustainability” – Ahead of the EV Showdown in Chicago, NASCAR’s EV Partners Try to Reach Fans

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 🔎 The In-Depth View

A US Marine’s Journey Into the Soul of American Sport

It’s not every day that we see someone coming from military uniform wear a firesuit and a helmet. But that’s exactly what Josh White did, choosing to do what he once wanted and race with a purpose.

While others come from a family of racing drivers or have money to back up their dreams, the former Marine’s story is a little different. He’s a trailblazer and set his sights on a racing career very early on.

“It’s been a challenge. It’s been an uphill battle,” Josh White admitted in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports.

Coming from a military background, it was always going to be challenging to make it into stock car racing. He didn’t have any big-name sponsors or deep pockets to fund his dream. But the goal of driving a racecar started long before the Marine Corps.

“When I was four years old, I saw Days of Thunder and I loved it so much that I wore the tape out,” said White. His grandfather, who raised him, had to go buy another VHS copy because the first one couldn’t survive the wear and tear.

Josh started racing at 16, but just two years later, he joined the Marine Corps. But despite serving his country, his racing dream never faded. And by 2015, he was running nearly a full ARCA season, thanks to a chance connection with Wayne Hixson, a fellow veteran.

“Veterans stick together,” Josh White told EssentiallySports, and that US Marine connection helped him get 18 starts that year. These were his first laps in an ARCA car!

And, just a year later, White broke into NASCAR. When asked who he reached out to? Josh said that one call he made was to Geoff Bodine. That one conversation led to his Truck Series debut with Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing.

“I have no idea what I was thinking, picking Martinsville for my debut,” Josh laughed. The debut was less-than-ideal, as his No. 1 Chevy wrecked at ‘The Paperclip.’ Here’s a recap for you.

The lack of sponsorship opportunities meant it was his only appearance in the series. But that didn’t dampen his spirits one bit.

Josh White is still coming to terms with the demands of the motorsports industry, learning to not just cope with the demands on the track but also being able to market himself for sponsorship.

“If I had the money, I’d probably be in the Cup Series by now,” he said bluntly. That’s just the sad reality of the racing world. But with RAM making a comeback, there is still hope.

“I've tried to reach out to Dodge personally and see if they would gimme some kind of manufacturer support,” said the veteran. Even though nearly a decade has passed since his last Truck Series appearance, the former Marine isn’t giving up anytime soon. As far as he’s concerned, the journey is far from over. He’s just getting ready for a new chapter. And, we’d love to see him race in the top tier soon.

Continue Reading: Jimmie Johnson’s Loyalty Shifts From Chevrolet

 🫡 The Lucky Dog Salutes

Richard Petty Gets a Year Older!

On July 2nd, Richard Petty turned 88, and yes, ‘The King’ is still going strong! Another year older, but not slowing down. He marked the occasion just the way you'd expect: surrounded by close friends, family, plenty of love, and this celebration with balloons and a Toyota Tundra.

If we look back at Petty’s journey, it is the stuff of legends. He won his first NASCAR championship in 1964 and just kept climbing from there. With his signature cowboy hat, shades, and that unforgettable smile, he also won over generations of fans.

But what makes him truly special isn’t just the trophies. It’s how down-to-earth he’s always been. Whether it was signing autographs or chatting with fans at the track, Petty never forgot where he came from. His roots run deep.

As his son Kyle once shared, the Pettys were “dead dirt poor” in the 1940s, living in a wooden trailer. Even with a racing champ for a dad (Lee Petty), the climb was anything but easy. And maybe that’s what makes Richard Petty’s life so powerful. How far he came, and how graciously he’s carried the crown ever since.

Even when he closed the curtains on his illustrious career, Richard Petty didn’t just kick back and relax. He tried his hand at politics, running for North Carolina Secretary of State in 1996. And, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H.W. Bush, becoming one of the very few athletes to achieve that honor.

But ultimately, his heart has always been with NASCAR and his fans. And even though he’s turned 88, you’ll still be finding him smiling on tracks, shaking hands, and signing autographs. Like this one; At Atlanta, Petty was seen signing a fan’s fractured foot with a warm, genuine smile.

So, a very Happy birthday, Richard Petty. Wishing you another year full of happiness and all things racing. Thank you for all the memories and for reminding us what NASCAR is really about.

Team, Lucky Dog on Track

Continue Reading: NASCAR Could Bring Back a 24-Year-Old Historic Track in 2026

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