It’s always fun to realize that even celebrities have their own favorite famous people — and if I were Morgan Wallen right now, I’d be totally fangirling
Turns out, Wallen has picked up a pretty legendary fan of his own, NASCAR icon Richard Petty. In Wallen’s new track “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” he gives a shoutout to “The King” himself.
The duet with Post Malone includes the clever line: “But the night I said, ‘I’m leavin’,’ I turned into Richard Petty, Broke my heart, so I got even in my ’97 Chevy.”
Petty is the perfect symbol for a high-speed getaway, especially in a song about heartbreak and revenge. With the most wins in NASCAR history, he’s not only a racing legend but a recurring reference in country music, from Billy Strings’ “Richard Petty” to Alabama’s “Richard Petty Fans.”
Apparently, Petty caught wind of the trending song, which was released on April 18 and is off of Wallen’s upcoming album, I’m The Problem. He recently posted to his Instagram story, thanking Wallen for the mention, tagging him and saying, “Thanks for the shoutout.”
The story has since disappeared, but not before Holler caught the interaction. Likewise, Petty only follows 115 accounts on Instagram, and Wallen just so happens to be one of them. Clearly, there’s some mutual respect between the King of the Track and the Tennessee native.
For casual listeners, the line might just sound like a fun name-drop. But NASCAR fans will recognize the deeper reference and remember Petty’s iconic Chevy Monte Carlo. While it’s not the exact model, Wallen seems to channel that vibe in the cover art for his tracklist reveal, with bold racing themes woven into the project.
Wallen’s also been slowly dropping videos from his “Shop Sessions,” a series which showcases his stripped-down songs from the album inside a tire shop. Hopefully, the smell of gasoline and burnt tires is laced throughout this whole album.
The full album drops May 16, packed with a whopping 37 tracks and featuring brand new collabs with Eric Church, HARDY, Ernest, and Tate McRae. Safe to say, fans will be racing to hear the full project once it’s out.