Racing: Top 5 most underrated TV personalities

Kyle Petty

Hot takes are all the rage nowadays in sports, and no one knows how to dish out the hot takes in the NASCAR garage like Kyle Petty. He is uncut, raw, and unhinged at times – just like the NASCAR fans and drivers that he is catering to. Petty, now a pre and post-race analyst at NBC Sports, appears to be relishing the role of opinion master in NASCAR.

Of course, Kyle Petty was not born into the role of dishing out hot takes on the latest on-track action. He had a long career as a NASCAR driver with many teams, finishing his career with his father’s team Petty Enterprises. He then transitioned to the television side, serving as a color commentator for TNT through their summer stretch of races following the death of Benny Parsons. But in this role, Petty appeared more contained and controlled, as often expected for those calling the race. Where he excels is outside the booth, on the “shoulder” shows.

With Kyle Petty joining the NASCAR on NBC pre and post-race crew of Krista Voda and Dale Jarrett, he has found a comfort zone where he can finally be himself on television. No longer is Petty boxed in by the action on the track, as he can now provide more fun and more perspective on what is or has occurred in the race. Alongside him, he also finds a perfect castmate with Dale Jarrett, someone who can battle Petty with differing opinions, and also be his friend at the same time.

If there is one part of the NASCAR on NBC experiment that has exceeded expectations in the last year, it is the NASCAR America pre and post-race shows. We wouldn’t change a thing.