NASCAR's Kyle Petty - From Boy to Superstar

Kyle Eugene Petty was born on June 2nd in 1960 intoThe same year that he joined his father, Richard
the Petty driving family in Randleman, North Carolina.Petty in Randleman, he brought back nine top-fives
His father is Richard Petty and he is also theand also celebrated 50 years of Petty Enterprises
grandson of Lee Petty. To say that racing is inexistence. Petty was also proud of his young son
Petty's blood would be an understatement as theAdam Petty but the young Petty's career was
young Petty's only dream as a child was to followshort-lived when he was tragically killed in the year
closely into the footsteps of his father and2000 during a practice accident at New Hampshire
grandfather. When he was younger, Petty would beInternational Speedway. Petty finished up the season
hanging around race tracks, stock cars and knew thein Adam Petty's car. Petty, unlike other drivers, keeps
drivers in the circuit. It did not come as a big surprisethe window on his car blank to honor his late son's
when Petty jumped into retired '78 Dodge Magnummemory and drives in a black paint scheme every
car and won the ARCA Daytona Internationaltime he competes at New Hampshire.
Speedway in 1979. That car was the same car thatPetty founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp for
his father used during the previous season. Althoughterminally-ill children in the memory of his late son
he was not allowed to join the Winston Cup after hiswhich he is very active in. Besides this, Petty also
first win, he did qualify for the '79 Talladega race andorganizes annual motorcycle rides for charity
finish at 9th place.purposes. This annual event named, Chick-Fil-A Kyle
The next year, he did not have many wins and wasPetty Charity Ride across America was established in
driving as his father team mate. He joined the Wood1995. Hundred's of Petty's fans and other drivers with
Brothers in 1985 which proved to be a wise businesstheir crew members join Perry on his campaign. They
decision as he won his first Winston Cup in 1986 atvisit many local children's hospital and charities to
the Richmond International Raceway. In 1991 during acontribute where they can. Because of his
race at the Winston 500 at Talladega, Petty wasphilanthropic activities, Perry was recognized as the
involved in a 21-car wreck that left him with a brokenNASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated "Person of the
leg. He came back that season in the Southern 500year" in 1999 and 2000. He was also awarded the
at Darlington. In 1992, Petty finished at 5th place2000 and 2004 Myers Brothers Award and not
which was his career best in the NASCAR Winstonforgetting his 2002 True Value Person of the Year
cup and brought home more than $1 million. HeAward for all his efforts.
repeated the same feat in 1993 when he finished atIt is truly inspiring to witness both the humane and
5th spot again at the NASCAR Winston Cup. Theracing side of Petty as he has taken us on a journey
next year he won the pole at the Daytona 500.throughout all these years. Once can only imagine
Petty went on to start his own team in 1997 whichgood things to come in the future from Perry and his
later became part of the Petty Enterprises family.talented team at Perry Enterprise.