Lee Petty, NASCAR’s first three-time champion and patriarch of the Petty racing dynasty, passed away on April 5th in Greensboro, North Carolina. Petty was 86 years old.
Petty began his racing career in NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. He went on to win NASCAR championships in 1954, 1958 and 1959.
Petty’s strong desire to win never waivered, as evidenced by his second place finish in son Richard’s first Grand National victory in 1960. The elder Petty protested the scoring and was later declared the winner! Petty’s NASCAR driving legacy is carried on by son Kyle and grandson Adam.
