Is Richard Petty in the Hall of Fame?

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Richard Petty is an American former stock car racing driver widely regarded as one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time
The 88-year-old competed between 1958 and 1992 and won a record 200 races during his career
Petty is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, International Motorsports Hall of Fame, NASCAR Hall of Fame and Diecast Hall of Fame.

NASCAR stock car racing has produced more than its share of king-sized heroes, and Richard Petty happens to be one of them. Petty is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, International Motorsports Hall of Fame, NASCAR Hall of Fame and Diecast Hall of Fame.

Tied with Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Sr. for most NASCAR Cup Series Championships, there is no doubt that Richard Petty is one of the greatest stock car racing drivers of all time.

Richard Petty is an icon in the NASCAR racing world. Photo/ CBS Sports.

The 88-year-old competed between 1958 and 1992 and won a record 200 races during his career. He won the Daytona 500 a record seven times and holds the record for the most races won in a season, 27.

Besides being a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Petty achieved more during his career and is one of the most respected figures in motorsports. Statistically, Petty is the most accomplished driver in the history of the sport. He was NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver in 1962, 1964, 1968 and 1974 to 1978. The American holds the record for most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series wins (10 in 1967).

Petty most notably drove the No. 43 Plymouth/ Pontiac for Petty Enterprises. He owns Richard Petty Motorsports and was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President George Bush in 1992.

Early Life

Petty is a second-generation driver who was born in Level Cross, Randolph County, North Carolina, on July 2, 1937. He is the son of Lee Petty, who was a three-time NASCAR champion and the winner of the first Daytona 500 in 1959.

Petty attended Randleman High School in Randleman, North Carolina. He was an All-Conference guard in the school’s football team. After graduating in 1955, he joined Greensboro Junior College, where he took a business course. Afterwards, he began working for his father’s racing company, Petty Enterprises.

Career

NASCAR legend Petty sitting next to his racing car. Photo/ Outsider.

Petty began his 35-year racing career on July 18, 1958, after turning 21. His first race was at CNE Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The following year, Petty was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year after he managed nine top-10 finishes. He competed in the inaugural Daytona 500, which was won by his father.

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Petty got his first career win at the Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway in 1960. He captured his first Daytona 500 in 1964 while driving Plymouth with a new Hemi engine. The American went on to win several races and championships, establishing his name as one of the greatest NASCAR drivers in the history of the sport.

After Racing

Petty, a NASCAR Hall of Fame member, purchased a 90-acre (36-ha) ranch south of Jackson, Wyoming. He was chosen to be the Grand Marshal for the 2011 STP 400 of the Sprint Cup Series in May 2011.

The racing legend has been featured in several films and movies. He established a summer camp known as Victory Junction to give seriously ill children the experience of summer camp.

NASCAR great Richard Lee Petty. Photo/ The Business Journals.

FAQs

Who is Richard Petty?

Petty is an American former stock car racing driver widely regarded as one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time.