During a trip to Washington, D.C., Brad Keselowski had the chance to spend meaningful time with Richard Petty, a moment that would change his view on NASCAR’s history. Keselowski, who has spent decades in the sport, was left speechless by Petty’s resilience and perseverance. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, Richard Petty never wavered in his commitment to racing. Keselowski now calls him the greatest race car driver ever, and their interaction gave him an entirely new perspective on Petty’s legacy.
- Keselowski views Petty as the greatest due to his resilience and success amid challenging racing conditions.
- Interacting with Petty during a Washington, D.C. trip left Keselowski deeply impressed.
- Keselowski admires Petty’s perseverance despite severe crashes and significant personal losses.
- A plane conversation with Petty offered Keselowski invaluable insights into racing history and Petty’s personal experiences.
- Petty’s enduring commitment to NASCAR, despite wealth and family obligations, struck Keselowski profoundly.
Keselowski’s First Real Time with Richard Petty
Brad Keselowski’s primary notable interaction with Richard Petty occurred during a trip to Washington, D.C., on April 7. During this visit, they engaged with Congressional members as part of the National Motorsports Coalition.
Despite Keselowski’s two-decade presence in NASCAR, this trip marked the inaugural meaningful time he spent with the storied seven-time Cup champion. It proved to be an enlightening experience for Keselowski, who seized the opportunity to explore Petty’s storied life and illustrious career.
Keselowski’s curiosity led him to investigate deeply into Petty’s experiences, unraveling insights from the legend himself. This encounter not only broadened Keselowski’s understanding but also left an indelible impression.
The dialogue between the two drivers illuminated facets of Petty’s legacy that were previously unknown to Keselowski. This interaction was profoundly impactful, fostering a newfound reverence in Keselowski for Petty’s unmatched contributions to NASCAR history.
Keselowski on Why Petty is the Greatest
Richard Petty’s legacy in NASCAR is unmatched, and Brad Keselowski believes he is the greatest race car driver of all time.
“It was sometime over the year last year I was thinking about him and how special he is to our sport, really unique person, and I could get on a soapbox here because my personal opinion of Richard Petty is probably different than a lot of people’s opinion of Richard Petty.” – (Keselowski)
Keselowski’s perspective is rooted in more than just Petty’s persona or his record-setting 200 wins.
“I feel that Richard Petty is the greatest race car driver that ever lived. The reason why I feel that way is broader than just his persona, which is, I think, it’s pretty cool. It’s broader than his 200 wins. I think it connects back to something that makes racing very unique compared to other sports.” – (Keselowski)
Keselowski emphasizes the unique challenges Petty faced during his racing era, highlighting several key aspects:
- Era of Uncertainty: Petty competed during a time when the risk of not surviving a season was palpable, with top-tier drivers often falling victim to the sport’s inherent dangers.
- Resilience in Adversity: Petty survived numerous serious crashes, including notable incidents at Darlington and Daytona, demonstrating his tenacity.
- Perseverance and Achievement: Despite the risks, Petty not only continued racing but also consistently succeeded, forging an enduring legacy.
- Unique Contribution: Keselowski believes Petty’s impact transcends statistics, embodying the essence of racing’s perilous allure, which sets him apart as the greatest.
“It’s the aspect of he raced in an era where the contemporaries he had that at least could win or were top-level drivers would, candidly, not make it out every year, and he himself multiple times barely made it out of big crashes. He had the one in Darlington, the couple in Daytona and not only did he survive those, but he kept racing. And he didn’t just keep racing. He kept winning.” – (Keselowski)
The Legendary Guts and Persona of Richard Petty
Petty’s legendary status in NASCAR is not solely attributed to his numerous victories but also his unmatched persona and unwavering courage on the track. His story exemplifies the quintessential race car driver, marked by an indomitable spirit and a daring approach that transcends mere statistics.
“Like nobody else can really claim that, at least not at the NASCAR level, maybe you could look at a Mario Andretti or somebody of that nature. So to me, there are drivers that are going to have amazing resumes of championships, amazing resumes of big race wins or total race wins, but he has the quintessential race car driver story of success, persona and guts.” – (Keselowski)
Richard Petty’s career is a reflection of resilience; he survived harrowing crashes, witnessed tragic losses, and yet, unfailingly returned to the driver’s seat, undeterred. This indelible grit and resolve reflect a persona that stands as a lighthouse of inspiration in the racing world.
In an era increasingly focused on metrics, Petty’s legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the human elements that define true greatness. His ability to prevail in the face of adversity and maintain his competitive edge is unmatched, situating him as a towering figure not just in NASCAR, but in the records of motorsport history.
“All three of those together are just, they’re legendary. I don’t think he gets enough credit for that, particularly nowadays when we become so stat based with everything. We forget just how impressive it is that this guy at one point in his career had won multiple races, multiple championships and been through crashes he that barely lived through, watched other people of similar nature die at races. After experiencing all of that, he got back in the car and won races and championships.” – (Keselowski)
Realizing the Missed Opportunity and the Plane Ride
Regret often serves as a powerful catalyst for change, prompting individuals to seize opportunities they might have otherwise overlooked.
“And one of them as I was kind of making this mental list was I had access to Richard Petty and didn’t do anything with it, like didn’t get to know him, didn’t get to build a relationship with him, which was entirely true up until I went on that trip (in April), for the last decade or more of my life. I was like, ‘Man, I’m going to really regret that one day. I don’t know when or how, but one day I’m going to really regret that.” – (Keselowski)
For Brad Keselowski, the realization of a missed opportunity with Richard Petty was profound. Keselowski had long acknowledged his unfulfilled chance to build a relationship with the NASCAR legend. When a trip to Washington, D.C. with NASCAR and a congressional committee arose, Keselowski noted Petty’s inclusion and saw potential for connection.
“I remember making a mental note of that, not necessarily having an answer to it. And so when the opportunity came up to go to DC for the trip with NASCAR and the congressional committee and I saw his name was on the list, I was like, ‘That’s great, maybe I’ll get to spend some time with him.’” – (Keselowski)
A serendipitous plane ride catalyzed this opportunity. Seated in front of Petty for several hours, Keselowski engaged the legend in conversation, exploring:
- Insights into racing history and notable events.
- Petty’s personal experiences and life lessons.
- Strategies and decisions that shaped Petty’s career.
- Petty’s opinions on current NASCAR dynamics.
Keselowski later reflected on the invaluable lessons learned, expressing a wish for having recorded the enlightening dialogue.
“I wish that we had the Google Glasses … I wish I was wearing them for that plane ride and pushed the record button. So, it was a real, real blessing, real treat. And I would extend that same thought to all of us in the room, what are the things that 10, 20 years from now are you going to say I wish I would’ve taken advantage of that opportunity and regret I didn’t do it, and Richard was one of them. … He’s got so many amazing stories and has lived a fullest of lives. He’s lived 20 people’s lives, right?” – (Keselowski)
What Blew Keselowski Away Most About Petty
Brad Keselowski marveled at Richard Petty’s steadfast dedication and resilience throughout his racing career. What left Keselowski in awe was Petty’s resolute commitment despite having every reason to retire. Petty had accumulated wealth, a loving family, and witnessed peers like Ned Jarrett retire and others, such as Fireball Roberts, tragically perish.
“I’m still blown away by the same thing, which is ‘Richard, how did you get back in the car after winning all these races, championships, having two or three kids and after seeing the Ned Jarretts win and retire and the Fireball Roberts parish on the racetrack, like how did you endure? How did you keep going?” – (Keselowski)
Yet, Petty continued to race, consistently enduring at a high level, refusing to ease off even when circumstances grew perilous. Keselowski was particularly struck by Petty’s ability to maintain this relentless drive, a quality he found rare in the current generation.
“Like how did you not just say, ‘You know what, I made my money, I’ve got my farm, I’ve got my wife and kids, I’m just going to pack it up. How did you keep enduring and enduring at a high level? Because you could just keep enduring in the sense of I’m just going to keep racing, but when the tires look like they’re going to blow out, or, you know, when it looks a little hairy, I’m just going to fall on back, right?” – (Keselowski)
Petty’s profound commitment to NASCAR and his vision of what he aspired to be were qualities that Keselowski deeply admired. He saw in Petty a rare dedication that transcended personal success and financial security, embodying a full-hearted engagement with the sport—a level of commitment not often seen today.
“He could have done that, but he didn’t. And, so, you know, asking him, maybe less candidly, those questions and just hearing him and his commitment to the sport and how NASCAR is and what he was and what he always wanted to be, that just blew me away. Nowadays people aren’t so much committed to things as I think he was and his generation was. Full send.” – (Keselowski)
News in Brief: Brad Keselowski on Richard Petty
Brad Keselowski’s encounter with Richard Petty was enlightening and humbling. While he had always admired Petty’s legendary status, meeting him in person solidified his perception of Petty as the greatest in NASCAR history.
Petty’s charisma, guts, and steadfast dedication left Keselowski in awe, realizing he had missed earlier opportunities to learn from the icon. The plane ride back was filled with reflections, as Keselowski understood the profound impact Petty’s legacy had on the sport and its drivers.
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