NASCAR legend Richard Petty takes issue with team owners' moves: 'It's been strange to me'

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Jimmie Johnson will make his return to the NASCAR circuit on Sunday when he brings up the rear at the Daytona 500 but how he muscled his way to the front of his race team is something that’s not sitting well with stock-car racing legend Richard Petty.

Petty, 85, was essentially stripped of power inside his former eponymous team that rebranded and rebuilt once the 2022 season concluded. Petty became Legacy Motor Club’s ambassador and expressed his dismay with Johnson’s rise in power.

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Erik Jones, center, speaks to Richard Petty, left, and Jimmie Johnson prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations Duel #1 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16, 2023, in Florida. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

"It’s been strange to me," Petty said Saturday. "Most of the time, I ran the majority of the show. Jimmie brought all his people in. His way of running things and my way of running things are probably a little bit different. We probably agree on about 50% of what it really comes down to."

Legacy Motor Club was known as Petty GMS Motorsports until January. Johnson purchased an ownership stake in the group in November.

"They don’t take over the racing part, they take over the front office," Petty said. "With sponsorships, appearances and all that stuff, Jimmie’s crowd is kind of controlling that. That’s something I never had to put up with, I guess."

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Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty pose for photos at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Chris Graythen/Getty