12 years ago, Richard Petty boldly declared that the only reason there was any attention on Danica Patrick in the Cup Series was that she was a woman. He claimed she would win a race only if everyone else stayed home, sparking immense backlash. Today, Kenny Wallace has stirred up similar discussions regarding modern-day female drivers after what he saw at the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100.

It was supposed to be a race that would be viewed as a major encouragement for women in motorsports, with four drivers finishing in the top 10, including Taylor Reimer, who had a genuine shot at winning but ultimately finished second. Wallace appreciated their performances but stated that ARCA is where the show should stop for these female talents.

“I love my daughters, Brooke, Brandi, and Brittany. So I’m a girl dad, and yeah, I got a soft spot in my heart for all the ladies,” Wallace said, sharing his video on X. “Don’t make fun of me when I say this. Maybe that’s the lady series.”

Wallace was pleased with how the drivers performed. Watching Reimer lead 24 laps and finish just 1.135 seconds behind eventual winner Max Reaves seemed to leave a stronger impression on him than the race winner himself. But instead of discussing which national series Reimer and the other women should target, he suggested that moving up to NASCAR’s national divisions might be a step too far for them.

“Listen, the O’Reilly Series, you’re basically a Cup driver by then. I mean, that’s a big step for these ladies. So I think ARCA’s perfect,” Wallace added.

The race at Phoenix appeared to support Wallace’s argument, with a record six female drivers taking the start. Aside from Reimer’s impressive finish, Hailie Deegan finished sixth, Mia Lovell eighth, and Jade Avedisian ninth. Dystany Spurlock and Quinn Davis had a tougher day, finishing 14th and 26th, respectively.

Wallace was not dismissing the women who raced at Phoenix but felt they should be cautious about climbing the ladder, which has historically proved difficult for female drivers.

Deegan, for instance, enjoyed success in ARCA’s regional series, winning three races before moving to the Truck Series. However, she struggled to find the same success at the national level, recording just five top-10 finishes in 68 Truck Series starts before her Xfinity Series stint also came to an end.

Patrick faced similar challenges despite her popularity and historic achievements, including winning a Cup Series pole at Daytona. She never recorded a top-five finish in the Cup Series and finished no higher than 24th in the championship standings.

Petty, a veteran of an older era of racing, took issue with the attention Patrick received simply for being a woman, questioning her place in the sport. It was not the first time the seven-time Cup Series champion had expressed such views. As far back as 1976, he stated that women did not belong in stock cars, the same year Janet Guthrie became the first woman to compete in the Coca-Cola 600.

Wallace was racing part-time in NASCAR’s lower divisions when Petty made those comments and did not join prominent figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. in criticizing The King. Today, however, Wallace shares a similar view, arguing that female drivers should not move up to NASCAR’s national series based on popularity alone if they cannot prove themselves on the track.

Wallace’s point becomes clearer when you consider the competition waiting beyond ARCA. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series feature experienced drivers, established teams, and far greater pressure to deliver results. Moving up means facing competitors who know how to manage traffic, protect track position, and make the most of their equipment.

A driver cannot move up based on one strong result alone. Stock-car racing demands consistency, and a promising young racer needs experience across different tracks before taking on tougher competition. Funding also matters, as even talented drivers can struggle to secure the seats and sponsorship needed to advance.

ARCA offers room to develop those skills. Its regional races, including events on shorter West Coast tracks, give drivers opportunities to learn close-quarters racing and build their records. Reimer’s fight at Phoenix showed why that experience matters. Finishing second is encouraging, but competing for a win also requires learning how to close out races against a competitive field.

Wallace’s comments also raise a broader question about the role ARCA should play in the development of female drivers. The series offers a valuable training ground for young racers, regardless of gender, but the challenges of moving up are not the same as determining how far a driver can go. Ultimately, each driver’s progress will depend on their performance, experience, and the opportunities they receive.

Deegan’s career illustrates the path Wallace is discussing. She moved into the Truck Series, gaining experience against a stronger national field before returning to ARCA competition in 2026. Her journey shows that moving up is possible, but it does not guarantee lasting success.

That makes Reimer’s Phoenix result worth watching beyond a single race. She qualified third, challenged Reaves for the lead, and finished second. It was a strong result, but the more important question is what she can build from it. Can she turn promising runs into wins? Can she maintain that pace across different tracks? And will the right team give her a chance when she is ready to move forward?

Wallace asked whether ARCA was the right place for female drivers. There is a reasonable answer. It can be an excellent place to start, sharpen their skills, and prove themselves. But it should not limit what they can aspire to achieve.

Reimer did not finish second at Phoenix because she needed a separate category. She finished second because she was racing for the win. The real test now is whether that performance can open another door and whether NASCAR’s teams will judge her by what she does on the track.

ARCA may be the right place for her today, but that does not mean it should determine where she can go tomorrow.