PETTY: Building a Family Legacy Exhibit Opens at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Limited-time exhibit celebrates the Petty family's impact both on and off the track.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 29, 2017) – Honoring one of the most recognizable family names in the sport, the NASCAR Hall of Fame recently opened its newest special exhibit, "PETTY: Building a Family Legacy."
Featuring more than 100 artifacts, including several that have never been seen by the public, the exhibit explores how, across four generations, the Petty family’s accomplishments on and off the track have left and continue to leave an indelible mark on the lives of many. Coinciding with Richard Petty’s 80th birthday in July, the exhibit also gives fans an interactive way to honor “The King” as he reaches this milestone.
“Highlighting the legacy of the entire Petty family, not just Richard’s legacy, fulfills one of the few requests Richard Petty has asked of me,” NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley says. “By showcasing the impact of the Petty family’s contributions on and off the track, this exhibit represents the entire family and celebrates the years they spent building and growing NASCAR. The exhibit is the perfect way to honor Richard’s humility and grant his simple request during the same year he turns 80.”
The role of family has been synonymous with NASCAR since its inception. And few pedigrees epitomize its significance as perfectly as the Petty family’s. This talented multigenerational crew has been involved in the sport since the inaugural NASCAR premier series season in 1949. Together, they achieved countless NASCAR “firsts” and set records—some of which are unbreakable. With incredible influence from behind the wheel, atop pit boxes, in the board room, under the hood, in the garage and in the eyes of fans, the Petty family’s combined impact is immeasurable.
Perhaps more importantly, the Petty family has touched millions through charitable and civic work. From veterans to school children and kids battling chronic medical conditions, the Pettys have used their prominence and success as a platform to enrich the lives of those in need.
The exhibit is organized by the following themes:
- NASCAR: The Pettys On and Off the Track – The Pettys have collectively created some of the most memorable moments in NASCAR, set countless records, served as ambassadors for the sport, established enduring race teams, and developed state of-the-art advancements in driver safety and car performance. Artifact highlights from this section include Lee Petty’s 1952 Most Popular Driver Trophy, Lynda Petty’s 1986 NASCAR Grand National Racing Wives Auxiliary Appreciation Award, Adam Petty’s 1998 Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Winner’s Trophy and Maurice Petty’s Valve Cover circa 2000.
- Beyond Competition: Civic and Charitable Contributions – Through the Pettys' civic participation, charitable involvement and engagement with community youth, they have impacted the lives of millions. Multiple family members lead or participate in efforts supporting the Petty Family Foundation, Victory Junction camp and the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. Artifact highlights from this section include a 2004 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America 10-year Anniversary Jacket, Lynda Petty’s Randolph County Board of Education Campaign Banner circa 1990s and Victory Junction Camper Artwork.
- Honoring the Past While Building the Future: Level Cross, North Carolina – The Petty family continues to operate family businesses on the same piece of property where NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty began his racing career in the late 1940s. In this exhibit, fans can get a glimpse of the history and future of Level Cross, North Carolina, where the Petty family homesite, Petty Museum and Petty’s Garage are located. Artifact highlights from this section include a selection of Richard Petty’s Belt Buckles and the Olympic Torch carried by Kyle Petty in 2001.
Major artifacts on display in the exhibit include six cars, a motorcycle and an engine:
- Reproduced 1959 Oldsmobile driven by Lee Petty
- 1981 Buick Regal driven by Richard Petty
- 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Kyle Petty
- 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Adam Petty
- 2004 Dodge Intrepid driven by Kyle Petty
- 2017 Petty’s Garage 80th Birthday Mustang for Richard Petty
- Circa 1964 Chrysler HEMI Head Racing Engine prepared by Maurice Petty
- 1965 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle ridden by Kyle Petty
This limited-time exhibit is located in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Great Hall and is free with admission. It will run from March through July 2017 and will be open during normal operating hours (check the calendar at nascarhall.com for changes to exhibit hours).
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is honored to have worked with the Petty Museum, members of the Petty family, and representatives from the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, Victory Junction camp, Richard Petty Motorsports, the Petty Family Foundation and others in the development of this exhibit.
General admission tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling 877-231-2010 or at nascarhall.com. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships are available starting at $125. For more details, visit nascarhall.com. Updates are available at facebook.com/nascarhall or by following @NASCARHall on Twitter.
About the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. (Note: Winter operating hours are Nov. 1- March 31 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week.) The 5-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. For more information, visit nascarhall.com.