Richard Petty Motorsports

Richard Petty Motorsports

Richard Petty is a legend in the world of stock car racing. He is often referred to as “The King” and is considered one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Petty began racing in 1958 and quickly made a name for himself. He went on to win a record 200 races and 7 NASCAR championships. Petty is also the only driver to win the Daytona 500 a record 7 times.

In addition to his racing success, Petty is also known for his philanthropy and charitable work. He has been inducted into both the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

Now we will take a close look at Richard Petty Motorsports.

 

Early Life and Education

Richard Petty was born on July 2, 1937 in Level Cross, North Carolina. He was the son of Lee Petty, who was also a NASCAR driver. Richard Petty began his racing career at the age of 21, driving his father’s car in a race in Charlotte.

He went on to win the NASCAR Grand National Championship in 1964 and 1967. Petty also won the Daytona 500 a record seven times.

Petty’s success on the track made him one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history. He was known for his “The King” nickname and his distinctive cowboy hat. Petty was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010.

 

Start of career

Richard Petty’s racing career started on July 18, 1958, when he competed in his first NASCAR event, the Firecracker 250 at Daytona Beach. Petty finished fifth in that race, and went on to win two more races that year.

In 1959, Petty won his first NASCAR Grand National event, the Charlotte 600. He also won the Daytona Qualifying Race and the Purolator 500 that year.

Petty became the first driver to win three races in a row in the Grand National series when he won the Wilson 400, World 600, and Firecracker 400 in July of 1960.

Petty’s success continued into 1961 as he won the Daytona 500, his first of a record seven wins in that race. He also won the Southern 500 and set a new NASCAR record with 27 wins in a single season. Petty’s streak of 27 consecutive wins came to an end when he finished second to Ned Jarrett in the next race, the Virginia 500.

Despite not winning as many races in 1962, Petty still managed to finish second in points behind Jarrett. He did pick up wins at Darlington and Charlotte though.

In 1963, Petty won his second Daytona 500 as well as races at Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, and Rockingham. He also had a streak of 10 consecutive top-five finishes from May to August.

Petty’s 1964 season was highlighted by his third Daytona 500 win as well as victories at Richmond, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Wilkesboro (twice), and Rockingham (twice).

He also set a new NASCAR record with 29 wins in a single season en route to his second Grand National championship.

 

Peak of career

In 1967, Petty won a then-record 10 races in a single season en route to his third Grand National championship. He also won the Daytona 500 for the fourth time that year.

Petty’s 1968 season was highlighted by his fifth Daytona 500 win as well as victories at Darlington, Charlotte, North Wilkesboro (twice), and Rockingham (twice). He also had a streak of 10 consecutive top-five finishes from May to August.

Petty’s 1969 season was once again highlighted by his sixth Daytona 500 win as well as victories at Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, and Rockingham. He also set a new NASCAR record with 29 wins in a single season en route to his fourth Grand National championship.

Petty’s success continued into the 1970s as he won the Daytona 500 for the seventh time in 1971. He also won races at Bristol, Charlotte, Darlington, Michigan, North Wilkesboro, Richmond, and Talladega that year.

In 1972, Petty won the Daytona 500 for the eighth time as well as the Firecracker 400 and World 600. He also had a streak of 10 consecutive top-five finishes from May to August.

Petty’s 1973 season was highlighted by his ninth Daytona 500 win as well as victories at Bristol, Charlotte, Darlington, Michigan, North Wilkesboro (twice), Richmond (twice), and Talladega. He also set a new NASCAR record with 31 wins in a single season en route to his fifth Grand National championship.

The 1974 season saw Petty win the Daytona 500 for the tenth time as well as the Firecracker 400 and World 600. He also had a streak of 10 consecutive top-five finishes from May to August.

Petty’s 1975 season was once again highlighted by his eleventh Daytona 500 win as well as victories at Bristol (twice), Charlotte (three times), Darlington (twice), Michigan (twice), North Wilkesboro (thrice), Richmond (thrice), Talladega (twice), and Watkins Glen.

He also set a new NASCAR record with 32 wins in a single season en route to his sixth Grand National championship.

Petty’s final NASCAR victory came in 1981 at The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He retired from full-time racing after the 1992 season but continued to make occasional starts in exhibition races until he finally retired for good in November of 2017.

Petty remains one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history with 200 career wins across all three of NASCAR’s national series: the Grand National/Winston Cup Series (now known as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series), the Nationwide Series (now known as the Xfinity Series), and the Camping World Truck Series.

 

Accomplishments

Petty’s accomplishments include winning a record 200 races across the Grand National/Winston Cup Series, the Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series.

He is also best known for his success in the Daytona 500, winning the race a record 10 times. Petty also holds the record for most wins in a single season, with 32 in 1975.

He was inducted into the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

 

Awards and records

Richard Petty has won numerous awards and holds several records across his racing career.

He was named NASCAR’s Driver of the Year in 1964, 1967, 1971 and 1972. Petty was also inducted into the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010.

Petty holds the record for most wins in a single season, with 32 victories in 1975. He also holds the record for most Daytona 500 victories, with 10 wins in the famed race. Petty’s 200th career win came in the 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

In addition to his individual records, Petty is also a part of several notable records. He is one of only three drivers to win three consecutive Daytona 500 races, accomplishing the feat from 1981-1983.

He is also one of only four drivers to win four consecutive races at Talladega Superspeedway, winning from 1971-1972.

Petty’s success has led to him being nicknamed “The King” and he is considered one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.