Lee Petty
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| Born: | March 14, 1914 | |
| Birthplace: |  Randleman, North Carolina |
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| Died: | April 5, 2000 (aged 86) | |
| Cause of Death: | stomach aneurysm | |
| Achievements: | — | |
| Awards: | 1954 Grand National Champion
inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1990) inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1996) |
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| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics | ||
| 427 races run over 16 years. | ||
| Best Cup Position: | 1st - 1954, 1958, 1959 (Grand National) | |
| First Race: | 1949 Charlotte Speedway | |
| Last Race: | 1964 Watkins Glen International | |
| First Win: | 1949 Heidelberg Raceway (Pittsburgh) | |
| Last Win: | 1961 Speedway Park (Jacksonville) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 54 | 332 | 18 |
Lee Petty (March 14, 1914 [near Randleman, North Carolina] - April 5, 2000) was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 60s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars.
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[edit] Career
Lee Arnold Petty was thirty-five years old before he began racing. He began his NASCAR career at NASCAR's first race at Charlotte Speedway (not Charlotte Motor Speedway). He finished in the Top 5 in season points for NASCAR's first eleven seasons. He won the NASCAR Championship on three occasions and the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.
[edit] 1959 Daytona 500
In the first race at Daytona International Speedway, Petty battled with Johnny Beauchamp during the final laps of the race. Petty and Beauchamp drove side by side across the finish line at the final lap for a photo finish. Beauchamp was declared the unofficial winner, and he drove to victory lane. Petty protested the results, saying "I had Beauchamp by a good two feet. In my own mind, I know I won."[1] It took NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. three days to decide the winner. In the end, with the help of the national newsreel, Petty was officially declared the winner.
[edit] Petty Enterprises
He is the father of Richard Petty, who would become NASCAR's all-time race winner. With sons Richard and Maurice, he founded Petty Enterprises, which became NASCAR's most successful racing team. He was the grandfather of Kyle Petty, and great grandfather of Adam Petty. Also he is also the great grandfather of Ritchie Petty who ran a few races in NASCAR.
[edit] Awards
- In 1990, Lee Petty was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996.
- He was elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
[edit] Teams
Petty Enterprises 1949-1964
Gary Drake 1954
Carl Krueger 1955
[edit] Death
Lee Petty died at 4:50 a.m. on April 5, 2000 at Moses Cones Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of 86, several weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. He was buried at the Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery in Randleman, North Carolina.
[edit] References
- ^ 1959: Petty's photo finish; Mark Aumann, Turner Sports Interactive; January 9, 2003; Retrieved October 24, 2007
[edit] External links
- Lee Petty article from the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame
- Lee Petty's statistics at racing-reference.info
| Preceded by Herb Thomas |
NASCAR Grand National Champion 1954 |
Succeeded by Tim Flock |
| Preceded by Buck Baker |
NASCAR Grand National Champion 1958, 1959 |
Succeeded by Rex White |
| Preceded by None |
Daytona 500 Winner 1959 |
Succeeded by Junior Johnson |
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