As NASCAR closes the book on its 75th anniversary, Richard Petty and his family are celebrating their own diamond celebration. It was 1949 when Lee Petty first got into a stock car and raced in NASCAR. Since then, it’s been nothing but history.
Lee would go on to become one of, if not the top driver of his generation. Of course, his son Richard Petty would soon surpass him in wins and championships across the Southeast. The King helped bring NASCAR into pop culture and still contributes to the sport today.
The Petty family is integral to the history of NASCAR and stock car racing. Kyle Petty is one of the voices we hear most often in the sport. He’s so excited to celebrate the last 75 years.
“My father is a walking encyclopedia of NASCAR,” Kyle said, via a press release. “He was there with my grandfather, grandmother and uncle Maurice at the first NASCAR race in Charlotte in 1949 and our family has been going ever since. There isn’t anything our family hasn’t seen in NASCAR.”
Between Lee, Richard, and Kyle Petty, the grandfather-father-son trio boasts 262 wins – 200 of which belong to Richard alone.
The King is also happy to still be around and involved in racing all these years later.
Richard Petty on ‘incredible milestone’ for his family
In sports, it is rare for a family to have such a dynasty. Even with his eight wins, Kyle Petty has accomplished things in NASCAR that most would give anything to do. Lee was a champion, Richard Petty the GOAT, and Kyle was a talented driver with multiple wins in the Cup Series.
Of course, there is Adam Petty, who had his life and career cut short. What could have been has been wondered by many in the years since.
Through it all, Richard Petty is more than happy to have his family still going strong in the sport of NASCAR.
“75 years in the sport is an incredible milestone for our family, especially when it all began as a family business,” said Petty. “Spending 2024, celebrating the success and contributions to the sport of racing that started with my mom and dad, then my brother Maurice, cousin Dale Inman, then to Kyle, Timmy, Ritchie, Mark, onto Adam and now Thad [Moffitt]. We are all looking forward to sharing these stories with the fans.”
While he doesn’t have the Petty last name, Thad is a promising young driver himself. He has a big announcement planned for later this week and that should tell us where he will spend his 2024 season.
Grandfather Richard Petty has to be proud to see his grandson trying to make those NASCAR dreams a reality.
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