Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty, nicknamed The King, is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He is best known for winning the NASCAR Championship seven times, winning a record 200 races during his career, winning the Daytona 500 a record seven times, and winning a record 27 racesin the 1967 season alonein length, reducing the schedule to 30 races). Statistically, he is the most accomplished driver in the history...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth2 July 1937
CityLevel Cross, NC
CountryUnited States of America
They said, 'Well, it can be done, but we'll have to do it a different way (rather than purchasing the series).' So here we are.
A lot of them also looked a little further down the line in the future than we did. We always did everything out of Level Cross (N.C.) in the backyard and we were fairly successful with the thing. Then it started being a bigger and bigger business. It started going and bringing more people in, more money, more technology, that kind of stuff. We still sat there in the backyard. By the time we got ready to do something about it, we were so far behind on our money and our engineering and all that stuff it's just taken us a little time to get going.
Denver's pretty quick. They couldn't keep up with him in the open field.
We ran a whole lot with him. I don't remember him ever causing any trouble, running over anybody or beating on anybody's head as far as Cup racing. I guess they'll remember him as a happy-go-lucky guy. That was my perspective of him.
If Kyle had ever been dedicated to nothing but driving, he'd have been really, really good. But he wanted to do a lot of other things. He's always been that way. Still is.
I don't particularly tell my guys to cheat. I just tell them not to get caught.
I don't now what situation they came from and I don't know what they were offered to go somewhere else. It's the times now, There's not a any loyalty for anyone or anything -- a whole lot. Wherever the money's at, that's where they're going, so I don't blame them. They've got just a few years to get it done and if they don't get it done then, then they aren't going to get it done.
I am very proud of the titles I have earned. However, the honorary title I have been given this year as chairman of the VA National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans program is one I accept with great humility and pride. I encourage all Americans to visit some true champions this Valentine's week and find out how you can serve those who have served us so well.
This is just to get the kids ready to play. It's not about the score of the games. We want the boys to learn what they can from this. It helps the coaches see where we're at and what we need to be working on.
That's exactly what Dale Sr. was going to do. It was, 'When I quit, I've got somewhere to go. I've spent my money, made my name. This is where I want to be.' Junior is in the same suit.
A rivalry doesn't happen in one or two races or in one year. It happens over a period of time to really get a rivalry going. We race together three or four races and get to beating on each other, that's not a rivalry, that's just a happening. You do that four or fives years, that's a rivalry.
At least when the race starts, he'll know where they're all at because they'll all be in front of him.
At least when the race starts he knows where they're all at, 'cause they're in front of him. Better to do it today than tomorrow.
The guys that don't respect that history and tradition, I don't think they're going to be around all that long. And those guys who don't know the history and tradition, I think it's upon them to learn about it pretty quick if they want to be a success.