Richard Petty Biography
Richard Petty is an American Former Stock Car Racing Driver born and brought up in Level Cross, North Carolina, United States. He contested from 1958 to 1992 in the former NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series (now called the NASCAR Cup Series), most notably driving the No. 43 Plymouth/Pontiac for Petty Enterprises. Petty is also one of the members of the Petty racing family.
He served as the first driver to win the Cup Series championship seven times (a record now tied with Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt), while also winning a record 200 races during his career.
10 Quick Facts About Richard
Here is a list of 10 facts about Petty
- Name: Richard Petty
- Age: 87 Years Old
- Birthday: July 2
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former Stock Car Racing Driver
- Marital Status: Widower
- Salary: Not Available
- Net Worth: $65 million
Richard Petty Age
Richard is 87 years old, he was born on July 2, 1937, in Level Cross, North Carolina, United States. He celebrates his birthday on July 2 every year. His birth sign is Cancer.
Richard Petty Height
Richard Petty stands at an estimated height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m).
Richard Petty Weight
Petty weighs 84 kg (185 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Born on July 2, 1937, in Level Cross, North Carolina, United States Petty was educated in Randleman, North Carolina and attended Randleman High School, where he was an All-Conference guard on the football team. he took a business course at Greensboro Junior College After his 1955 graduation, then started work for his father’s racing company, Petty Enterprises.
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Moment
- 1963 was his breakout year, winning at tracks like Martinsville and Bridgehampton. In 1964, driving a potent Plymouth with a new Hemi engine, Petty led 184 of the 200 laps to grab his first Daytona 500, en route to 9 victories, making over $114,000, and his first Grand National championship.
Major Achievements and Contributions
- Petty collected a record number of poles (123) and over 700 top 10 finishes in a record 1,184 starts, including 513 consecutive starts from 1971 to 1989, during his 35-year career.
- He was also the first driver to win in his 500th race start, being joined by Matt Kenseth in 2013.
- He retired in 1992, having raced in 1,184 NASCAR events, winning 200 of them.
Personal Life
Richard Petty Family, Parents
Petty was born in Level Cross, North Carolina, United States, to his parents Lee Petty (father), and Elizabeth Petty (mother). His father, Lee Petty, won the first Daytona 500 in 1959 and was also a three-time NASCAR champion.
Richard Petty Siblings
Petty spent his childhood alongside his brother Maurice Petty, a former American NASCAR crew chief and engine builder for Petty Enterprises, of which he was a part owner.
Richard Petty Wife
Petty was married to the late actress Lynda Petty from 1959 until her death in 2014 of spinal cancer. She was an American actress who performed the voice of Lynda Weathers in Disney/Pixar’s Cars.
The couple shared four children: a son named Kyle Petty, and three daughters: Rebecca Petty Moffit, Lisa Petty Luck, and Sharon Farlow.
Richard Petty Children
Petty is the proud father of four children: a son named Kyle Petty, and three daughters: Rebecca Petty Moffit, Lisa Petty Luck, and Sharon Farlow.
Richard Petty Net Worth
Richard Petty has an estimated net worth of $65 million dollars. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Former Stock Car Racing Driver. Through his various sources of income, Richard has been able to accumulate a good fortune, but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Richard Petty
Here are some interesting facts you should know about Petty.
Richard Petty Bio.
- Full Names: Richard Lee Petty
- Popular As: Richard Petty
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Former Stock Car Racing Driver
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Available
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 87 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Date of Birth: July 2, 1937
- Place of Birth: Level Cross, North Carolina, United States
- Birthday: July 2
Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m)
- Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs)
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Lee Petty
- Mother: Elizabeth Petty
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Maurice Petty
- Marital Status: Widower
- Wife/Spouse: Was married to Lynda Petty (m. 1959–2014)
- Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Kyle Petty, Rebecca Petty Moffit, Sharon Farlow, Lisa Petty Luck
Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $65 million
- Salary: Not Available
- Source of Income: Former Stock Car Racing Driver
Richard Petty Car
Petty was injured in the 1970 Rebel 400 at Darlington when his Plymouth Road Runner cut a tire and slammed hard into the wall dividing the track from the pit area. The car flipped several times before coming to rest on its side. This accident harmed Petty’s shoulder and helped Bobby Isaac to win the 1970 Grand National Championship.
During the accident, Petty’s head struck the track pavement several times, a mishap that, along with Joe Weatherly’s fatal crash six years earlier, led NASCAR to mandate the installation of the Petty-developed safety net that protects the driver’s side window.
Contacts
- Youtube
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- Website
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