Aaron DonaldAaron RodgersAdrian PetersonAidan HutchinsonAlan PageAlvin KamaraAmon-Ra St. BrownAnthony MuñozAntonio BrownAntonio GatesArt MonkBarry SandersBecca LongoBen RoethlisbergerBijan RobinsonBo JacksonBrandon AiyukBreece HallBrett FavreBrock PurdyBruce MatthewsBruce SmithC.J. StroudCalvin JohnsonCalvin RidleyCameron JordanCeeDee LambChamp BaileyChris OlaveChristian McCaffrey
RP
Motorsport Biography

Richard Petty

“The King”

American flag American · Level Cross, USA · Born 2 July 1937

NASCAR Driver

Advertisement

American NASCAR driver known as 'The King', holds records for most Cup Series wins (200) and championships (7), dominated stock car racing from 1960s-1980s

Richard Petty is 'The King' of NASCAR, the most successful driver in Cup Series history with 200 victories and seven championships. An iconic figure who helped build the sport into what it is today, Petty's combination of exceptional driving talent, fan accessibility, and longevity produced a career unmatched in NASCAR history. His STP-liveried Petty Blue Dodge and cowboy hat are the sport's most recognisable symbols.

Famous For

Seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and 200 race wins

Playing Style

How They Played

Aggressive competitor known for his signature #43 STP Pontiac and cowboy hat

Legacy

Lasting Impact

The King - most successful NASCAR driver in history, helped popularize stock car racing nationally

Honours & Achievements

Career Honours

  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1964
  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1967
  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1971
  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1972
  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1974
  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1975
  • NASCAR Cup Series Champion 1979
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1964
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1966
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1971
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1973
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1974
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1979
  • Daytona 500 Winner 1981
  • NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award multiple times
Career Journey

Timeline

1958 📌 NASCAR Cup Series debut
1964 🏆 First NASCAR Cup Series championship
1967 🏆 Second NASCAR championship, won 27 races in season
1971 🏆 Third NASCAR Cup Series championship
1972 🏆 Fourth NASCAR Cup Series championship
1974 🏆 Fifth NASCAR Cup Series championship
1975 🏆 Sixth NASCAR Cup Series championship
1979 🏆 Seventh and final NASCAR Cup Series championship
1984 🎯 200th and final NASCAR Cup Series race victory
1992 📌 Retired from full-time NASCAR competition