Richard Petty congratulated his grandson on marriage, highlighting a special moment for the Petty family within the NASCAR community. On September 6, 2025, Thad Moffitt, the eldest grandson of Petty, wed Lauren Welborn in Randleman, North Carolina, reflecting both a family and racing legacy.
Thad Moffitt and Lauren Welborn’s wedding took place in the heart of Petty family heritage, with Randleman serving as the backdrop for a new chapter in both the Moffitt and Welborn families’ NASCAR traditions. Their union highlights the ongoing intertwining of generations who have shaped and continue to influence stock car racing, adding yet another milestone to the Petty dynasty’s role in the sport’s history.
Both families share extensive roots in NASCAR, and Moffitt’s role as a racer with Nitro Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series keeps the race-centered legacy moving forward. The wedding emphasizes how family bonds within NASCAR remain influential, as Moffitt now balances personal life milestones with the demands of professional racing and the anticipation of future seasons and achievements under the Petty name.
Sharing his excitement publicly, Moffitt marked the occasion on Instagram, describing it as:
“The best day of our lives.”
This sentiment reflects the depth of emotion present at the event, bridging family celebration and the larger significance of their history in stock car racing.
Richard Petty, known as ‘The King,’ joined in the congratulations, posting an image of the couple and noting:
“The Petty Family continues to grow! Congratulations.”
Petty’s acknowledgment carries the weight of his extraordinary career, which began in 1958 and extended through 1992. He amassed an unrivaled record of 200 NASCAR Cup race victories and seven Daytona 500 wins, matched only by Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson with seven NASCAR Cup Series championships each. Petty’s influence on the sport persists, not only through records set for most wins in a season, consecutive victories, pole positions, and total starts but also through the achievements and pursuits of the next generation—evident in Moffitt’s career and marriage.
NASCAR family traditions and continued legacy
The marriage of Thad Moffitt and Lauren Welborn represents more than just a family event; it symbolizes the continued presence and influence of the Petty family in NASCAR. As both sides of the family contribute to the sport’s generational evolution, their connection underscores how personal moments often carry meaning for the larger racing world.
Meanwhile, Moffitt’s active pursuit of a career in the ARCA Menards Series with Nitro Motorsports adds to the Petty legacy, with new challenges and aspirations ahead. The intersection of personal and professional developments will likely shape both his trajectory and the greater narrative of racing families in NASCAR.
Richard Petty’s memories of old-school NASCAR
Reflecting on shifting culture within NASCAR, Richard Petty recently discussed the differences between his era and today’s sport. He explained that in past decades, racers managed disputes directly on the track—using bumpers rather than heated gestures—leaving conflicts behind by the race’s end instead of prolonging drama.
During a conversation with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Petty highlighted this approach, stating:
“No, we just used a bumper. You know what I mean? If you had trouble with somebody, you tried to take care of it right then. Now, when the race is over, people get healed with each other: they start telephoning each other, faxing each other and stuff.”
The contrast with modern competitors, who sometimes display frustration with hand gestures for all to see, illustrates how increased broadcasting and social media have altered the sport’s visibility and consequences. Penalties and public scrutiny now follow actions that, in earlier eras, were resolved quietly and swiftly.
As Richard Petty congratulates his grandson’s wedding, the event not only deepens the Petty family’s generational story but also highlights how traditions both on and off the track shape NASCAR’s narrative. Moffitt’s marriage, set alongside the ever-evolving world of racing, suggests that the Petty family’s impact will remain prominent as new contenders and milestones emerge.
