As we wrap up this series, one of the great things about it is that the story is still being written. Richard Petty is still very much alive and well, and still a presence around the track.
NASCAR has long been hailed as a fan and family friendly sport. From this observer’s point of view, Richard Petty has been a central figure in that. That opinion is supported by the numerous comments received over the
last week as we’ve done this series- how Petty has spent countless hours signing scores of autographs. David Poole said in his book NASCAR Essential, that perhaps Petty is surpassed only by Muhammad Ali in terms of autographs given out.
The man is no doubt like anyone else. There are times he would just as soon been clicking off laps in a race car than granting interviews and signing autographs. But what Petty has to be commended for is that he understood that, with the king’s life, came the king’s work. He’s done that work without a lot of complaining.
Darrell Waltrip says NASCAR owes a lot to the Petty’s. Besides the appearances and the autographs, the Petty’s have contributed in other ways. They can be thanked for window nets and other innovations. They’ve also spoken out in a very favorable way for the sport, while still “keeping it real.”
Let’s be sure to say a good word for Lynda Petty, the woman who has stood by her legendary husband all these years. I’ll tell you this, having spent years covering sports: we have no clue what these people’s lives are like. The demands of time, not only for appearances, no only for what is sacrificed in terms of privacy, are incredible. This isn’t one of those Hollywood marriages- Mrs. Petty has been by Richard’s side through thick and thicker, without so much as one public demand for attention. She’s refreshingly one unique breed of cat.
Speaking of families, I think it says a great deal of good for the Petty clan that the headlines they’ve made have been of the positive variety. Though not as accomplished as his father, Kyle has been a positive force within NASCAR and continues to hone his craft as a budding commentator. The Petty daughters you never hear about, but that, in and of itself, is a positive thing.
Speaking of Kyle, he and his wife Patty, son Austin, and the rest of
the family, have done great things to honor their late son Adam with Victory Junction. It is said Adam had a soft spot for children less fortunate than he, speaking volumes of his character and his upbringing. Now Victory Junction offers camps and other activities for children who need it, but otherwise wouldn’t get it. The organization must be doing something right, because other NASCAR personalities like Tony Stewart, to name one, have thrown their financial support behind it.
In a way, it’s sad that the team that bears Richard Petty’s name hasn’t had quite the same success that he did, though it was cool to see Kasey Kahne win a pair of races in an RPM car this season. Petty has also given a lot of his time to other drivers on the team like A.J. Allmendinger. It hurts, the fact we don’t have a Petty on the track anymore, but even dynasties come to an end sooner or later.
Fittingly, Darrell Waltrip has referred to the Petty’s as a “national treasure.” I’d agree. The adulation of other greats like the late Dale Earnhardt are understandable. He was a great racer with a great story. In a different, yet similar way, Richard Petty was and is something a hillbilly hero, and I mean that in the most positive way. He may have accomplished great things, but you still can;t help but feel like he’s a guy you can just walk up to and say “Hey” too. Oh sure, I’m certain he’s had his bad days and maybe rushed through an autograph session or two, but there’s still a tinge of humility about the man.
They call him “The King,” because he is, indeed racing royalty. Richard Petty accomplished quite a number of things we’ll only dream of doing, and furthermore, he has represented NASCAR nation with dignity and class. He’s an original.
Long live the King!
PHOTO CREDITS- Petty at Hall of Fame courtesy of John Harrelson/ Getty Images. Petty with fans by aresauburn. Richard and Lynda Petty by scott_9445. Kyle and Richard Petty by Darryl W. Moran. To see more, click on the links or visit flickr.com.
{ 6 comments }
Jim:
Thanks a MILLION for your series of stories about Richard Petty. You have displayed the intelligence to know, that during the off-season when there’s not much to write about, you can bring tremendous excitement to ALL of the racing fans by writing about “The KING”.
No single person, nor any one family has participated in, or given so much to NASCAR as Richard Petty has, along with the entire Petty family. The Petty family literally made NASCAR, all the France family did, was haul the money to the bank.
There are only three words than can describe you series about Richard, and those three words are “DAMNED FINE JOB”. Thanks for your efforts.
I will never forget going into Richard Petty’s pit during qualifing in charlotte in 1983 or 84. My friend Bill Freeman took me down through the pits and asked who I would most like to meet and of course I said Richard Petty. We walked over to his hauler and he was sitting on the steps eating a chilidog. He shuck my hand asked if I’d like a chilidog and we talked for awhile. He asked if I would like to get my picture taken in his car. He gets up walks over to where the crew had his car on stands and the hood and deck lid off, says “Boy’s, put the hood back on Mark wants to get his picture taken in the car.” They did and I did. How cool was that!!
@Colin. Thanks! It’s my pleasure. I kind of combined my love for history and love for NASCAR.
@Mark. That is WAY cool.
An excellent series of articles!
A life long King Richard Petty fan it was great to read.
Long Live The King!!!!!
Richard Petty is called The King for a reason. All forms of auto racing, as a whole, owe the Petty family a debt of gratitude for all they did to further the sport.
Thanks for the series Jim. Good work about a good man.
Richard Petty lost all my respect,great driver or not. Nascar was also about family and loyalty. But the King would sell out his family, and his self respect like a whore just to stay in the lime light. Sorry King I liked you much better when you stood for something, and Petty Enterprises was Petty Enterprises. I bet Kyle did too!
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