Kyle Petty paid tribute to his father, Richard Petty, on his 88th birthday this week, expressing deep appreciation for their family’s remarkable Richard Petty NASCAR legacy. The heartfelt message and celebration unfolded on X, which was formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the personal and public impact Richard Petty still has on the racing world.
Richard Petty, affectionately recognized as “The King,” became a motorsport icon piloting the No. 43 Petty Enterprises Plymouth and Pontiac cars in NASCAR’s top tier, then known as the Grand National and Winston Cup Series, from 1958 through 1992. He was the groundbreaking driver to win seven Cup championships and remains the record-holder for most victories in series history, with 200 career wins. These achievements have cemented his reputation within the NASCAR Hall of Fame and among fans across generations.
Kyle Petty’s Career and Continuing Contribution to Racing
Kyle Petty, son of Richard, walked his own path in NASCAR, racing the No. 45 Dodge Charger during his active years. His competitive career concluded in 2008 after 829 race starts and eight victories, including a celebrated win at the 1987 Coca-Cola 600. Hailing from Randleman, North Carolina, Kyle now offers his perspective on racing as a commentator for NBC Sports, reflecting a lifelong connection to the sport through both action on the track and insight off it.
Kyle chose X to share his birthday wishes for Richard Petty, also speaking to the special relationship within the Petty family and how they view their legendary patriarch.
“Happy birthday to my dad! I’m blessed to be able to celebrate another birthday with him. To the world, he’s the King. But to us, he’s just daddy and Pepaw.”
—Kyle Petty
Petty Sisters Champion the Family’s Enduring Racing Heritage
Rebecca Petty Moffitt and Sharon Petty Farlow, daughters of Richard Petty, are actively preserving their father’s enduring racing heritage. Sharon now acts as executive director of the Petty Museum in Level Cross, while Rebecca leads as chief executive officer of the Petty Family Foundation and president of Petty’s Garage. Ahead of 2025, the Petty family prepares to mark 75 years since their initial entry into racing—an achievement rooted deeply in family dedication and collaboration.
“It takes a family. It takes a village,” Rebecca said in a release. “We are celebrating 75 years, and our family has been involved the whole time.”
—Rebecca Petty Moffitt
Even today, Richard Petty continues to shape the world of stock car racing. He serves as chief ambassador for Legacy Motor Club, formerly known as Petty GMS, where he maintains both executive influence and minority ownership. Petty also remains active in various racing-related business ventures, underlining his lasting love for the sport.
Richard Petty Reflects on Recent Atlanta Motor Speedway Race
Richard Petty recently shared his impression of the Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway, which was previously called Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Quaker State 400, the 18th event of the NASCAR season, was ultimately won by Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports, but the race became particularly memorable due to a major wreck involving over half the competitors. The field was stalled as the red flag waved, presenting one of the season’s largest incidents.
“It made it interesting,” Richard Petty said of the incident. “There was a bunch of passing up front. On a track like that, that’s a Daytona or Talladega wreck. You’d see very few of them that big. When the race was over, there wasn’t but four cars that wasn’t in a wreck or spin or something all along.”
—Richard Petty
Drivers and teams are now gearing up for the upcoming Grant Park 165, a 75-lap road race set at the Chicago Street Circuit on July 6. NASCAR fans can watch the action on TNT Sports or listen to live updates via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The Lasting Impact of the Petty Family on NASCAR
With each milestone—from Richard Petty’s ongoing influence as a Hall of Famer, to Kyle Petty’s second act as a broadcaster, and the sisters’ dedication to preserving their father’s legacy—the Petty family remains a driving force in the sport. As the 75th anniversary of Petty family racing approaches in 2025, their collective commitment and presence continue to inspire both the racing community and fans across the world, ensuring that the Richard Petty NASCAR legacy stands as one of motorsport’s most enduring stories.
