Lee Petty

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Lee Arnold Petty (March 14, 1914 – 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. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.

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.

1959 Daytona 500

In the first race at Daytona International Speedway, Petty battled with Johnny Beauchamp during the final laps of the race. Petty, Beauchamp and Joe Weatherly drove side by side by side across the finish line at the final lap for a photo finish. Petty drove a 1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 (#42), Beauchamp a 1959 Ford Thunderbird (#73) and Weatherly a 1959 Chevrolet (#48) all coupes. 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. 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. Son Richard drove a 1957 Oldsmobile convertible (#43) and finished 57th out of 59 starters having blown the engine after eight laps.

Petty Enterprises

He is the father of Richard Petty, who would become NASCAR's all-time race winner. With sons Richard and Maurice Petty, he founded Petty Enterprises, which became NASCAR's most successful racing team. He was the grandfather of Kyle Petty, and great grandfather of the late Adam Petty who died in a car accident at New Hampshire International Speedway. He is also the grandfather of Ritchie Petty who ran a few races in NASCAR. His nephew Dale Inman worked for Petty Enterprises as Richard's crew chief from the early 1960s until 1981 and during the 1990s.

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.

He was selected as one of Nascar's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 along with his son, Richard Petty.

Teams

Petty Enterprises 1949-1964

Gary Drake 1954

Carl Krueger 1955

Death

Lee Petty died at 4:50 a.m. on April 5, 2000 at Moses H. Cone Memorial 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.

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