Richard Petty Biography | American World Champion Car Race Driver

Richard Lee Petty

Born: July 2, 1937
Place of Birth: Level Cross, North Carolina

Major Notes:

Richard Petty is considered by many as the greatest NASCAR racing driver.
His father, Lee Petty, was a pioneer racing driver who won three Sprint cup championships.
The younger Petty developed an interest in car racing after watching his father crashing the family vehicle in a stock car race.
He began to work on his father's cars and thought of becoming a mechanic.
Once Petty got his driver's license, however, he changed his mind and wanted to drive the vehicles.
In 1959, he won the Rookie of the Year award in the NASCAR racing circuit.
Petty was given a special Plymouth Superbird to drive in 1964.
With this car, Petty racked up numerous victories in both Daytona and NASCAR races.
Around this time, he was nick-named "the King" and became an icon who wore dark glasses and a cowboy hat.
In the 70's, Petty won five Winston cups.
Petty holds a remarkable record of winning 200 NASCAR races and over 700 top-ten finishes.
Richard Petty was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997.

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Major Notes:

Richard Petty is considered by many as the greatest NASCAR racing driver.

His father, Lee Petty, was a pioneer racing driver who won three Sprint cup championships.

The younger Petty developed an interest in car racing after watching his father crashing the family vehicle in a stock car race.

He began to work on his father's cars and thought of becoming a mechanic.

Once Petty got his driver's license, however, he changed his mind and wanted to drive the vehicles.

In 1959, he won the Rookie of the Year award in the NASCAR racing circuit.

Petty was given a special Plymouth Superbird to drive in 1964.

With this car, Petty racked up numerous victories in both Daytona and NASCAR races.

Around this time, he was nick-named "the King" and became an icon who wore dark glasses and a cowboy hat.

In the 70's, Petty won five Winston cups.

Petty holds a remarkable record of winning 200 NASCAR races and over 700 top-ten finishes.

Richard Petty was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997.