Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty, nicknamed The King, is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He is best known for winning the NASCAR Championship seven times, winning a record 200 races during his career, winning the Daytona 500 a record seven times, and winning a record 27 racesin the 1967 season alonein length, reducing the schedule to 30 races). Statistically, he is the most accomplished driver in the history...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth2 July 1937
CityLevel Cross, NC
CountryUnited States of America
We ran a whole lot with him. I don't remember him ever causing any trouble, running over anybody or beating on anybody's head as far as Cup racing. I guess they'll remember him as a happy-go-lucky guy. That was my perspective of him.
He was at Richmond from the time I was a little boy. He was one of the originals in PR, in working with the drivers and the newspapers. He was one of the first to realize you don't just stick up a sign and say we're going to have a race Sunday. He went out, dug up PR and really got the job done. Any time we ran at Richmond, the place was always full.
I am very proud of the titles I have earned. However, the honorary title I have been given this year as chairman of the VA National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans program is one I accept with great humility and pride. I encourage all Americans to visit some true champions this Valentine's week and find out how you can serve those who have served us so well.