Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; Richard Petty during driver introductions before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
John David Mercer, John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsJan 19, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Richard Petty speaks to the audience during the Induction Ceremony at Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsRichard Petty (43) drives up near the front in the Nashville 400 at the Fairgrounds Speedway on Aug. 4, 1963. Petty went on to place fourth in the rain-shortened NASCAR late model race before 12,875 fans.
Robert Johnson / The TennesseanDrivers Richard Petty, left, and Jim Paschal, right, along with Jim Estes, center, waits for the star of the Nashville 400 at the Fairgrounds Speedway on Aug. 4, 1963. Paschal went on to win, while Petty finishes fourth in the rain-shortened NASCAR late model race before 12,875 fans.
Robert Johnson / The TennesseanDriver Richard Petty, left, relax as a crew member talk things over with him during practice runs for the Busch Nashville 420 NASCAR race at Nashville Raceway July 15, 1983.
Ricky Rogers / The TennesseanDrivers Richard Petty, left, and Bobby Allison hope to put a stop to fellow driver Darrell Waltrip, after he won the pole for the Marty Robbins 420 NASCAR race at the Nashville Raceway May 6, 1983.
Ricky Rogers / The TennesseanRichard Petty stopped a moment as he walked through the garage at the North Carolina Speedway, before qualifying, Friday, 2/22/02.
Steve Aldridge, The Fayetteville ObserverNASCAR great Richard Petty during a visit to Fayetteville April 4, 1985.
Steve Aldridge, The Fayetteville ObserverJimmie Johnson, right, and Richard Petty share the news that Johnson finalized an ownership stake with the Petty GMS race team.
John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsRacing king Richard Petty signs his autograph for one of hundred fans at the Service Merchandise's CoolSpring outlet in Franklin, Tenn., Oct. 6, 1992. Some fans arrived at 4 a.m. to get in line before his 10 a.m. appearance. The event is part of his fan appreciation tour as he ends his 35-year racing career this season.
Mike DuBose / The TennesseanDrivers Richard Petty, left, and Coo Coo Marlin, right, are with Miss Fairgrounds Speedway Deborah Jett during a press conference for the Nashville 420 at the Fairgrounds Speedway. The press conference was held at the Airport Hilton Inn Aug. 24, 1972.
Robert Johnson / The TennesseanRichard Petty is acknowledged before the Clean Harbors 150 presented by Premier Chevy Dealers, Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-CitizenNASCAR King Richard Petty is ready to name the reception of the Minnie Pearl Award for humanitarian deeds during the 26th annual TNN/Music City News Country Award show at the Grand Ole Opry June 8, 1992. Emmylou Harris was honored with the award but couldnÕt attend and made a videotaped.
Mike DuBose / The TennesseanRichard Petty joins Fox and Friends, Sunday morning February 20, 2022 with a Marching band from Pittsburg Pennsylvania as excitement build at Daytona International Speedway before the Daytona 500.
David Tucker/News JournalRichard Petty and Leonard Wood celebrate the win of Trevor Bayne No. 21 on pit road after the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday February 20, 2011.
NEWS-JOURNAL FILERichard Petty and his wife Lynda arrive at the Calvary Church in Charlotte for the memorial service to honor Dale Earnhardt.
JOHN BYRUM/STAFF, HERALD-JOURNALNASCAR drivers Richard Petty, left, and Darrell Waltrip laugh with Waltrip's wife Stevie before a videotaping with other drivers in the Jack Daniels Saloon at Opryland Hotel Jan. 29, 1991. Petty is hungry to get back on track for the 1991 Winston Cup schedule.
Freeman Ramsey / The TennesseanDriver Richard Petty (43) led laps 17-150 of the Nashville 420 NASCAR race before he blew a tire and knocked the front end out of line to finish his day at the Fairgrounds Speedway on July 25, 1970. Petty placed 16th.
Robert Johnson / The TennesseanRichard Petty (43) takes the checkered flag for the Winston Cup Music City USA 420 in the NASCAR Grand National race at Nashville Speedway May 12, 1974. Petty won his eighth NASCAR race in Nashville, picking up his first in 1964.
Jimmy Ellis / The TennesseanDrivers Billy Wade, left, and Richard Petty talk after taking the top two spots for the NASCAR 400-lap race at Fairgrounds Speedway Aug. 1, 1964. Petty, in a '64 Plymouth, topped the pole while Wade, in a '64 Mercury, took second.
Frank Empson / The TennesseanRichard Petty, center, and Ned Jarrett, right, check over the first-place trophy June 3, 1964 for the NASCAR 200-lap late model automobile race coming up at Fairgrounds Speedway.
Frank Empson / The TennesseanRichard Petty tries to cool off after posting a red-hot qualifying speed to gain the pole for the NASCAR 400 Grand National race at Fairgrounds Speedway July 26, 1969. He went on to win the race before a crowd of 15,846.
Frank Empson / The TennesseanMaureen Reagan, center, shakes hands with stock car driver Richard Petty, left, as Bobby Allison looks on prior to the start of the Nashville Pepsi 420 before 24,150 fans at Nashville International Raceway July 14, 1984. Reagan was the honorary grand marshal at the Grand National race and to campaign for her father's re-election in November.
Greg Lovett / The TennesseanNASCAR drivers Dick Hutcherson, left, Richard Petty, and Jim Paschal are ready for the Nashville 400 race at the Fairgrounds Speedway July 28, 1967.
Frank Empson / The TennesseanRichard Petty hauls a load of tire rims to his car as they get ready for qualifying for the Music City USA 420 Grand National race at Nashville Speedway May 9, 1975.
Dale Ernsberger / The TennesseanA half-dozen of the country's top NASCAR drivers met in Nashville Jan. 2, 1975 to try their hand at making a record instead of breaking one. Darrell Waltrip, left, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, Bobby Allison and David Pearson are part of an album, titled "NASCAR Goes Country," that will be released in mid-February.
Robert Johnson / The TennesseanDrivers Richard Petty, left, and Cale Yarborough talks as they wait for the start of the Nashville 420 Grand National race at the Nashville Speedway July 19, 1975. But rain delay the race until the next day.
Billy Easley / The TennesseanRichard Petty, center, NASCAR's greatest driver of them all, and Nashville Speedway officials, Jim, left, and Bill Donoho and other investors look over blueprints Nov. 4, 1975 of a superspeedway track being planned on the outskirts of Nashville. Petty is expected to be a partner in the enterprise.
Robert Johnson / The TennesseanRichard Petty, left, chats with 16-year-old son Kyle prior to qualifying for Nashville 420 NASCAR race at the Nashville Speedway July 16, 1976.
Frank Empson / The TennesseanDriver Richard Petty, center, gets out of the car as he and his crew get it ready for the Nashville 420 Grand National Winston Cup race at the Fairgrounds Speedway Aug. 25, 1973.
Dale Ernsberger / The TennesseanCountry Music star Marty Robbins, left, greets Richard Petty after both qualified during the time trials for the Nashville 400 NASCAR race at the Fairgrounds Speedway July 30, 1966. Petty set a track record of 82.49 miles per hour to win the pole.
Jimmy Ellis / The TennesseanThe falling rain doesn't deter Richard Petty, right, and crew member Jimmy Russell from washing his car after arriving at the Fairgrounds Speedway July 29, 1966. Petty is one of the favorites for the Nashville 400 NASCAR race.
Dale Ernsberger / The TennesseanDriver Richard Petty, right, relaxes while a crew member works on one of the tires during practice for NASCAR Music City 420 race at the Nashville Speedway May 8, 1976.
Copyright 2006;Yes TennesseanDrivers David Pearson, left, Bobby Isaac, Richard Petty and Bobby Allison eye the trophy that goes to the winner for the NASCAR Nashville 400 race during the time trials at the Fairgrounds Speedway July 27, 1968. Pearson went on to win the trophy in the rain-shortened race before 15,221 fans.
Frank Empson / The TennesseanFeb 1, 1969; Riverside, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; NASCAR Grand National Series driver Richard Petty looks over his car in the garage at the 1969 Motor Trend 500 at Riverside International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Darryl Norenberg-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREFeb 19, 1984; Daytona Bch, FL, USA FILE PHOTO; NASCAR Winston Cup driver Richard Petty (43) during the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREFeb 17, 1985; Daytona Bch, FL, USA FILE PHOTO; NASCAR Winston Cup driver Richard Petty during the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRENov 18, 2005; Homestead, FL, USA; Former NASCAR champion Richard Petty during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Ford 400 at the Homestead Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Jason Parkhurst
Jason Parkhurst-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREMar 16, 2008; Bristol, TN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Jarrett with Richard Petty prior to the start the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jarrett is running the final race of his career. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRENov. 16, 2008; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Richard Petty (right) greets Jimmie Johnson prior to the Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREFeb 11, 2009; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (right) talks with Richard Petty during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREMay 24, 2009; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IRL driver John Andretti (right) talks with team owner Richard Petty in the garage prior to the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREJun. 21, 2009; Sonoma, CA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (right) with car owner Richard Petty after winning the SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREJuly 26, 2009; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Richard Petty before the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREJune 6, 2010; Long Pond, PA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne talks with Richard Petty during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREFeb 18 2012; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner Richard Petty (left) talks with driver Matt Kenseth (17) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREJune 24, 2012; Sonoma, CA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Richard Petty poses for pictures with fans before the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREJan 29, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR crew chief Maurice Petty (left) gets a kiss and is inducted to the NASCAR Hall of Fame by his brother Richard Petty during the NASCAR hall of fame induction ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Sharpe, Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY SportsMay 9, 2014; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sprint Cup Series car owner Richard Petty talks with Sprint Cup Series driver Aric Almirola (43) during practice for the 5-Hour Energy 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jasen Vinlove, Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsApr 22, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Richard Petty looks on during practice for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Amber Searls, Amber Searls-USA TODAY SportsSep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; ESPN analyst Lee Corso talks with NASCAR team owner Richard Petty on the set of College Gameday prior to the Battle at Bristol football game between the Virginia Tech Holies and Tennessee Volunteers at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Hanewinckel, Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODANov 3, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; NASCAR driver Darrell Wallace Jr. (left) and team owner Richard Petty (right) are interviewed before the qualifying for the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsFormer NASCAR driver Richard Petty met with fans, Wednesday morning while his son's, Kyle Petty, charitable motorcycle ride made a fuel stop in Wichita Falls. Kyle Petty Stops In Wf 9
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS, CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWSFeb 19, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; Former driver Richard Petty shares a laugh with former driver Bill Elliott before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
John David Mercer, John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports