Racing

Richard Lee Petty was born on July 2nd, 1937 in his hometown Level Cross, North Carolina. He became a NASCAR legend and racing champion and is well known for his achievements. He has become a well known and renowned former driver for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and has won the NASCAR Championship seven times. The only other person to accomplish this has been Dale Earnhardt.

He has won over 200 races during his entire career and has received Most Popular Driver award on several occasions. Petty is a second generation driver. His father, Lee Petty, won the first Daytona 500 in 1959 and was also a NASCAR champion. Richard’s son, Kyle Petty, is also a well-known NASCAR driver. Tragically, Richard’s grandson, Adam Petty, was killed in an accident at New Hampshire International Speedway on May 12, 2000.

Richard Petty began his NASCAR career on July 18, 1958. His first race was in Toronto, Canada, and he finished 17th in an Oldsmobile. In 1959, Richard was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year, after he produced 9 top 10 finishes, including six Top 5 finishes. Throughout his career he awed fans and fellow drivers with his skills and his ability to take the lead and win the race.

In 1992, Richard Petty retired from NASCAR, but not before he had two last great moments. In the first one, he led the Firecracker 400 for the first five laps (after qualifying 2nd) before he dropped out on lap 84 due to fatigue.

The second was in his final race at season finale in Atlanta. Petty’s career was honored when he paced the field on a pace lap. Petty raced for the only time against Jeff Gordon, who was making his first Winston Cup start. The 1992 championship was decided by 10 points in the slimmest margin in NASCAR history (until the new “Chase for the Cup” was introduced). Second place finisher the late Alan Kulwicki won the championship by leading the most laps. The resulting 10-point swing in points proved to be the difference.