Richard Petty: 5 extraordinary facts about Richard Petty that you should know

5 extraordinary facts about Richard Petty that you should know

Modified Jan 01, 2025 16:23 GMT

Syndication: The Tennessean - Source: Imagn — Syndication: The Tennessean, Richard & Kyle Petty - Source: Imagn

Richard Petty, born on July 2, 1937, in Level Cross, North Carolina, is one of NASCAR’s greatest legends, who also goes by the name, "The King." He raced in NASCAR from 1958 to 1992, with his debut on July 18, 1958 and his last race being the Hooters 500 in 1992.

Petty was the first person to win seven Sprint Cup Series championships. He also clinched seven victories at the Dayton 500, and to this day remains the only driver to have won a grand total of 200 races in the NASCAR Cup Series.

All of this in a career of 35 years, with his first cup championship being in the year 1964. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the class of 2010. Here’s five extraordinary facts about Richard Petty that you should know.

#5. Richard Petty, the drag racer

For the 1965 NASCAR season, new rules were introduced that made the engine in Petty’s Plymouth #43 illegal. This caused frustration for Richard, who took a break from NASCAR and joined the drag racing circuit.

He came back to racing in NASCAR just a year later in 1966, and made an incredible comeback by setting a record with 27 first place finishes, and winning his second NASCAR Cup Series championship.

#4. A family involved in racing

Richard Petty is not the only racing celebrity in his family, in fact, his father, brother, son, and grandson have all been a part of this sport.

His father Lee Petty was a three time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the first ever winner of the Daytona 500. His brother Maurice Petty was an engine builder for Petty Enterprises. His son Kyle Petty was also a NASCAR driver. While his grandson Adam also raced in NASCAR before his tragic passing in 2000 due to a crash into the wall at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he died instantly.

Even Richard’s mother, Elizabeth was a part of the sport and worked as a scorekeeper during races.

#3. The King and US Presidents

Petty, during his career and after, has had many encounters with US Presidents, not by chance but by the virtue of his racing legacy. In 1984, when Richard won the Daytona 500, he was joined by then President Ronald Reagan, who not only attended the race, but also joined him in the victory lane.

He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H.W. Bush in 1992. In 2016, he also made an appearance alongside Donald Trump in his campaign rally.

#2. Richard Petty, the actor

Richard Petty is a man of many talents, and he hasn’t been far from the acting scene either. In the Pixar movie CARS, he voiced the racing legend Strip "The King" Weathers. Along with that he has also appeared in commercials for brands like Goody’s Headache Powder and Liberty Mutual Insurance.