Richard Petty vs. Danica Patrick?

You may shudder at the thought, but that's what Tony Stewart proposed Wednesday. Stewart was on PRN's Fast Talk.

"I told her she should challenge Richard to a heads-up race," Stewart said. "I think that would pretty much settle it once and for all. Maybe get him to shut up a little bit too."

Earlier in February, seven-time NASCAR champ Petty said that Patrick would only win a Sprint Cup Series race "if everybody else stayed home." Stewart, a three-time champion himself, is Patrick's car owner.

"He drove in an era when he had cars that were superior to what everyone else was running a lot and I think he forgets that. That NASCAR has changed a lot since he was a driver and how hard it really is now," Stewart said.

"I will supply the cars, I don't care. If he wants to race her I'll make sure they have exactly the same set-up in the car and give him a chance. He can drive one of my 14 cars, I don't care."

Stewart was joking, we think (and hope). A duel race between a 76-year-old and Patrick would be a lose-lose idea for everyone. Granted, it's something that doesn't even have a small likelihood of happening, but don't even entertain the thought. It's simply papa bear defending his driver, who said she didn't let Petty's remarks impact her.

Maybe we could just have them race on NASCAR '14 or something. It'd be better for all parties involved and Petty could have Kyle be his coach and cheerleader next to him while Patrick has Stewart on her side. Let's make that happen.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg