2006 FESTIVAL OF SPEED
GOODWOOD
Richard Petty posing with Carlos Ghys.

Richard Petty is "The King" of NASCAR racing, the driver of "Ol' 43" and a record-breaking legend over three decades of auto racing. Petty, the son of driver Lee Petty, drove his first professional race in 1958. In 1959 he was named Rookie of the Year, and in his career he won 200 NASCAR races; he also won the Daytona 500 seven times and he won the Winston Cup championship seven times (a record later equalled by Dale Earnhardt). He retired from driving in 1992, but continues in the sport as the owner of Petty Racing. After retiring, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the U.S.'s highest civilian award. Petty's son Kyle also became a professional auto racer... Richard's grandson Adam Petty (the son of Kyle) was 19 years old when he was killed on 12 May 2000 during a practice run at New Hampshire International Speedway... Richard Petty was the 1996 Republican candidate for secretary of state in North Carolina, but lost to Democrat Elaine Marshall.

Richard Petty signing his portrait in my book.