Richard Petty

Statistics
Petty Enterprises Owner
Born: July 2, 1937
Brithplace: Level Cross, NC
Wife: Lynda
Children: Kyle, Sharon, Lisa, Rebecca
Career Cup wins: 200
Career Cup poles: 126
Winston Cup Championships: 7 (’64, ’67, ’71, ’72, ’74, ’75, ’79)

Biography

There is only one phrase that can begin to describe Richard Petty's influence on racing in America. Fans call him "The King," a name that reflects his amazing 200 career wins and his amazing outlook on life.

Richard is the son of famed NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty. He grew up working with his father with a goal of becoming a mechanic. That was, of course, until he got his driver’s license. In 1958, just after his 21st birthday, Richard took to the track. Between winning his first race at the long–gone Charlotte Speedway in 1960 and running his last race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1992, Richard Petty’s record is remarkable.

Richard Petty has won the Most Popular Driver award nine times, won an unprecedented seven Nextel Cup Championships and seven Daytona 500 races. He was Winston Cup Rookie of the Year in 1959, Driver of the Year in 1971 and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997.

Petty retired from competitive driving at the end of the 1992 season, but he has not stopped the hunt for victory. Petty Enterprises houses two Nextel Cup teams. The journey continues, and the goal remains the same.