Lee Petty

Template:Refimprove Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox NASCAR driver Lee Arnold Petty (March 14, 1914 – April 5, 2000)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> was an American stock car racing driver who competed during the 1950s and 1960s. He is the patriarch of the Petty racing family. He was one of the early pioneers of NASCAR and one of its first stars. He was NASCAR's first three-time Cup champion. He is the father of Richard Petty, who went on to become one of the most successful stock car racing drivers in history. He is also the grandfather of Kyle Petty and great grandfather of Adam Petty.<ref name="espn2023">Template:Cite news</ref>

Career

File:LeePettyDodgeCoronet.jpg

Lee Petty's No. 42 1956 Dodge Coronet

Petty was born near Randleman, North Carolina, the son of Jessie Maude (née Bell) and Judson Ellsworth Petty.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was thirty-five years old when he began his racing career. He participated in NASCAR's inaugural race, held at the three-quarter mile long dirt track, Charlotte Speedway; he raced in a 1948 Buick Roadmaster he borrowed from his neighbor under the assurance that the prize money earned from the race could pay off any damages to the car. With son Richard watching, Petty lost control of the car and rolled it in turn three.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Basing on his earlier experience as an occasional moonshine runner, Petty would take factory cars to a local service station, pull the mufflers off the car and go racing.<ref name="DJD">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He finished in the top five in season points for NASCAR's first eleven seasons and won the NASCAR Grand National Series driver's championship three times. Petty was also the winner of the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.

Controversies

Twice in his career, Petty was declared the winner of a race after scoring errors were discovered following the race.

1959 Daytona 500

In the inaugural 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 Super 88 (No. 42), while Beauchamp drove a 1959 Ford Thunderbird (No. 73) and Weatherly did so in a 1959 Chevrolet (No. 48), all coupés. Beauchamp was unofficially declared the 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."<ref>1959: Petty's photo finish Template:Webarchive; Mark Aumann, Turner Sports Interactive; January 9, 2003; Retrieved October 24, 2007</ref> 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. His son Richard drove a 1957 Oldsmobile convertible (No. 43) and finished 57th out of the 59 starters after blowing an engine after eight laps.

In a 1999 interview over the controversial finish, Petty expressed his belief that France Sr. knew Petty won, but purposely called Beauchamp the winner to intentionally cause controversy. Petty stated, "France would have done anything to generate publicity for his racetracks."

1959 Lakewood 500

During a stock car race at Lakewood in Atlanta, Georgia, Richard raced against Lee, a teammate to his father on the Petty Enterprises racing team. After a side-by-side duel with his father, Richard passed Lee with less than 10 laps to go and went on to win the race. It was one of Richard's first races and he became a first-time Cup series winner during his rookie year. Hours after the race was over, officials changed the official results after a protest was filed by Lee. Lee protested that Richard was one lap down and was credited with an extra lap. Richard was demoted to third and Lee was declared the race winner. In the days that followed, Lee was quoted as saying in a newspaper, "I would have protested my mother if I needed to."

Crash and retirement

Template:See also During the second race of the Twin Qualifying Events of the 1961 Daytona 500, Johnny Beauchamp lost control and caught Petty's bumper, sending both cars through the guardrail and out of the track. Petty's car struck spectator A. B. Kelley who suffered multiple cuts but still helped evacuate Petty from the twisted metal. Petty and Beauchamp were no strangers to each other as they were previously involved in the first Daytona 500 finish which took place two years earlier. Petty suffered numerous life-threatening injuries, including multiple fractures, internal injuries, and a punctured lung that forced him to stay in the Daytona Hospital for four months.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The crash ultimately led to the end of Petty's regular driving career, though he sporadically competed in later events; his final race took place in 1964 at the Glen.

Petty Enterprises

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} He was the father of Richard Petty, who became NASCAR's record holder for race wins. 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 the great-grandfather of Adam Petty, who died in a crash during a Busch Series practice session 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, Petty was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
• He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America<ref name=MSHoF /> 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.
• He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2011.

Death

Petty died at 4:50 a.m. on April 5, 2000, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina, three weeks after his 86th birthday, several weeks after undergoing surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm—a tear in the aorta vessel near the stomach that grows until cardiac arrest. Despite the surgery, his condition deteriorated and he died of abdominal aortic dissection. He was buried at the Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery in Randleman, North Carolina. Lee died just three days after his great-grandson Adam made his Winston Cup Series debut; Adam would be killed at the age of 19 just 5 weeks later from a practice race crash.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60	61	62	Template:Tooltip	Pts
1949	Gilmer Goode	38	Buick	CLT Template:Small	DAB																																																													2nd	725
	Petty Enterprises	42	Plymouth			HBO Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	HAM	MAR Template:Small	HEI Template:Small	NWS Template:Small
1950				DAB Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	CAN Template:Small	VER Template:Small	DSP Template:Small	MCF Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	DSP Template:Small	HAM Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	NWS	VER Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	WIN	HBO Template:Small																																												3rd	1590
1951				DAB Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	NMO Template:Small	GAR	HBO Template:Small	ASF Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	CAN Template:Small	CLS Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	DSP Template:Small	GAR	GRS Template:Small	BAI Template:Small	HEI Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	MCF Template:Small	ALS Template:Small	MSF Template:Small	FMS Template:Small	MOR Template:Small	ABS Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	CCS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	CLT	DSP Template:Small	WIL	HBO Template:Small	TPN	PGS	MAR Template:Small	OAK	NWS Template:Small	HMS	JSP Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	GAR	NMO Template:Small																						4th	2392.25
1952				PBS Template:Small		JSP Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	CCS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	DSP Template:Small	CAN Template:Small	HAY	FMS Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	CLT Template:Small		NIF Template:Small	OSW Template:Small	MON Template:Small	MOR Template:Small		MCF Template:Small	AWS	DAR Template:Small	CCS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	DSP Template:Small	WIL Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	PBS Template:Small																													3rd	6498.5
			Lincoln		DAB Template:Small
			Chrysler																	MSF Template:Small					PPS Template:Small
1953			Dodge	PBS Template:Small	DAB	HAR Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	RCH Template:Small	CCS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	PMS Template:Small	RSP Template:Small	LOU Template:Small	FIF Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	TCS Template:Small	WIL Template:Small	MCF Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	MOR Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	RVS Template:Small	LCF Template:Small	DAV Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	PAS Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	CCS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	BLF Template:Small	WIL Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	ATL Template:Small																										2nd	7814
1954				PBS Template:Small		JSP Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	OSP	OAK Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	CCS Template:Small		WIL Template:Small			RSP Template:Small				LND Template:Small			WGS Template:Small																																										1st	8649
			Chrysler		DAB Template:Small								LAN 9*		MAR Template:Small	SHA Template:Small		CLT Template:Small	GAR	CLB Template:Small		HCY Template:Small	MCF Template:Small		PIF Template:Small		SFS Template:Small	GRS Template:Small	MOR Template:Small	OAK	CLT Template:Small	SAN Template:Small	COR Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	CCS Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	MAS Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	NWS Template:Small
	Gary Drake	100	Olds																							AWS Template:Small
1955	Petty Enterprises	42	Chrysler	TCS Template:Small	PBS Template:Small	JSP Template:Small	DAB Template:Small	OSP Template:Small	CLB Template:Small		NWS Template:Small	MGY Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	ASF	TUS	MAR Template:Small	RCH Template:Small	NCF Template:Small	FOR Template:Small	LIN Template:Small	MCF Template:Small	FON Template:Small	AIR Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	MOR Template:Small	ALS Template:Small	NYF Template:Small		CLT Template:Small																																3rd	7194
			Dodge							HBO Template:Small																							SAN Template:Small		FOR Template:Small	MAS Template:Small	RSP Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	MGY Template:Small		RSP Template:Small	GPS Template:Small	MAS Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	LVP	NWS Template:Small	HBO Template:Small
	Carl Krueger	303	Chrysler																																					LAN Template:Small
1956	Petty Enterprises	42	Dodge	HCY Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	WSS	PBS Template:Small	ASF Template:Small	DAB Template:Small	PBS Template:Small	WIL Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	RCH Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	CON Template:Small	GPS Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	LIN Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	POR	EUR	NYF Template:Small	MER	MAS Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	MCF Template:Small	POR	AWS Template:Small	RSP Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	CSF	CHI Template:Small	CCF Template:Small	MGY Template:Small	OKL 5*	ROA Template:Small	OBS Template:Small	SAN	NOR Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	MYB Template:Small	POR	DAR Wth	CSH Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	POR	CLB Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	NWP Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	CCF Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	WIL Template:Small							4th	8324
	Fred Frazier	35	Ford																																												DAR Template:Small
1957	Petty Enterprises	42	Dodge	WSS	CON Template:Small	TIC Template:Small																																																												4th	8528
		42M	Olds				DAB Template:Small	CON
		42							WIL Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	LAN Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	GBF Template:Small	POR	CCF Template:Small	RCH	MAR Template:Small	POR	EUR	LIN Template:Small	LCS Template:Small	ASP	NWP Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	CPS	PIF Template:Small	JAC Template:Small	RSP Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	MAS Template:Small	POR	HCY Template:Small	NOR Template:Small	LCS Template:Small	GLN Template:Small	KPC	LIN Template:Small	OBS Template:Small	MYB Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	NYF Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	CSF	SCF	LAN Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	CCF Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	NBR Template:Small	CON Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	GBF 5*
1958				FAY Template:Small	DAB Template:Small	CON Template:Small	FAY Template:Small	WIL Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	FAY Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	ODS Template:Small	OBS Template:Small	GPS Template:Small	GBF Template:Small	STR Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	BGS Template:Small	TRN Template:Small	RSD Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	NBS Template:Small	REF Template:Small	LIN Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	RSP Template:Small	MCC Template:Small	SLS 8*	TOR Template:Small	BUF Template:Small	MCF Template:Small	BEL Template:Small	BRR Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	NSV Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	BGS Template:Small	MBS Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	BIR Template:Small	CSF	GAF Template:Small	RCH Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	SAS Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	NWS Template:Small													1st	12232
		2																																																				ATL Template:Small
1959		42		FAY Template:Small	DAY Template:Small	DAY Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	CON Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	WIL Template:Small		CLB Template:Small		REF 6*	HCY Template:Small	MAR Template:Small		CLT Template:Small				GPS Template:Small			WIL Template:Small																																									1st	11792
		43									BGS Template:Small		NWS Template:Small
		42	Plymouth														TRN Template:Small		NSV Template:Small	ASP	PIF Template:Small		ATL Template:Small	CLB Template:Small		RCH Template:Small	BGS Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	DAY Template:Small	HEI Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	MBS Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	NSV Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	BGS Template:Small	GPS Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	RCH Template:Small	CSF	HBO Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	CON Template:Small
1960				CLT Template:Small	CLB Template:Small	DAY	DAY Template:Small	DAY Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	PHO	CLB Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	WIL Template:Small	BGS Template:Small	GPS Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	RCH Template:Small	HMS	CLT 56	BGS Template:Small	DAY Template:Small	HEI Template:Small	MAB Template:Small	MBS Template:Small	ATL Template:Small	BIR Template:Small	NSV Template:Small	AWS Template:Small	PIF Template:Small	CLB Template:Small		BGS Template:Small	DAR Template:Small	HCY Template:Small	CSF	GSP Template:Small	HBO Template:Small	MAR Template:Small	NWS Template:Small	CLT Template:Small	RCH	ATL Template:Small																			6th	14510
		43																																		SBO Template:Small
1961		42		CLT Template:Small	JSP Template:Small	DAY	DAY Template:Small	DAY Template:Small	PIF	AWS	HMS	ATL	GPS	HBO	BGS	MAR	NWS	CLB	HCY	RCH	MAR	DAR	CLT	CLT	RSD	ASP	CLT	PIF	BIR	GPS	BGS	NOR	HAS	STR	DAY	ATL	CLB	MBS	BRI	NSV	BGS	AWS	RCH	SBO	DAR	HCY	RCH	CSF	ATL	MAR	NWS	CLT	BRI	GPS	HBO											104th	–
1962		41		CON	AWS	DAY	DAY	DAY	CON	AWS	SVH	HBO	RCH	CLB	NWS	GPS	MBS	MAR Template:Small	BGS	BRI	RCH	HCY	CON	DAR	PIF	CLT	ATL	BGS	AUG	RCH	SBO	DAY	CLB	ASH	GPS	AUG	SVH	MBS	BRI	CHT	NSV	HUN	AWS	STR	BGS	PIF	VAL	DAR	HCY	RCH	DTS	AUG	MAR	NWS	CLT	ATL										73rd	588
1963				BIR	GGS	THS	RSD	DAY	DAY	DAY	PIF	AWS	HBO	ATL	HCY	BRI	AUG	RCH	GPS	SBO	BGS	MAR	NWS	CLB	THS	DAR	ODS	RCH	CLT	BIR	ATL	DAY	MBS	SVH	DTS	BGS Template:Small	ASH	OBS Template:Small	BRR Template:Small	BRI	GPS	NSV	CLB	AWS	PIF	BGS	ONA	DAR	HCY	RCH	MAR	DTS	NWS	THS	CLT	SBO	HBO	RSD								82nd	800
1964				CON	AUG	JSP	SVH	RSD	DAY	DAY	DAY	RCH	BRI	GPS	BGS	ATL	AWS	HBO	PIF	CLB	NWS	MAR	SVH	DAR	LGY	HCY	SBO	CLT	GPS	ASH	ATL	CON	NSV	CHT	BIR	VAL	PIF	DAY	ODS Template:Small	OBS	BRR	ISP	GLN Template:Small	LIN	BRI	NSV	MBS	AWS	DTS	ONA	CLB	BGS	STR	DAR	HCY	RCH	ODS	HBO	MAR	SVH	NWS	CLT	HAR	AUG	JAC	109th	244

Daytona 500

Year	Team	Manufacturer	Start	Finish
1959	Petty Enterprises	Oldsmobile	15	1
1960		Plymouth	14	4
1961			DNQ

External links

• Lee Petty article from the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame
• Template:Racing-Reference driver
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