Petty Puts Down Danica Patrick

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Former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kyle Petty said he is not impressed with Danica Patrick as a driver.

Petty, an analyst for Speed TV, cited his father, Richard Petty, in describing Patrick’s shortcomings as a driver.

“She’s not a race car driver,” Petty said. “There’s a difference. The King (Richard Petty) always had that stupid saying, but it’s true: ‘Lots of drivers can drive fast, but very few drivers can race.’

“Danica has been the perfect example of somebody who can qualify better than what she runs. She can go fast, but she can’t race. I think she’s come a long way, but she’s still not a race car driver. And I don’t think she’s ever going to be a race car driver.”

Patrick, who is in her first full season on the Sprint Cup circuit, ranks 27th in the Cup standings. She has only one top 10 finish in 16 starts.

Petty had just eight wins in more than 800 starts.

“I was not a great driver, and I’ll be the first to admit it,” he said. “I was a journeyman driver. Just like in the NFL or any sport, there are journeyman players.