Kyle Petty

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Kyle Petty (Born June 2, 1960 in Level Cross, North Carolina) is an American NASCAR driver, the son of racing driver Richard Petty.

Related Topics:
June 2 - 1960 - Level Cross, North Carolina - NASCAR - Richard Petty

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Petty originally did not intend to become a race car driver. He was a star in many sports in high school, including football and basketball and received scholarship offers from many colleges.

Related Topics:
Race car - High school - Football - Basketball - Scholarship - Colleges

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However, Kyle did eventually decide to follow in his father's footsteps and he won his first stock car race, an ARCA event at Daytona International Speedway in 1979. He then entered the Winston Cup soon after that, driving as a teammate to his father at Petty Enterprises. He left his father's team in 1985 to drive for the Wood Brothers team. His first Winston Cup win came the following next year at Richmond International Raceway. Petty returned to driving for Petty Enterprises in 1996 and is now CEO of that team.

Related Topics:
Stock car - ARCA - Daytona International Speedway - 1979 - Winston Cup - 1985 - Richmond International Raceway - 1996 - CEO

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Petty's son Adam Petty was intereted in racing as well, but was killed in 2000 in a practice accident at New Hampshire International Speedway. Upon his son's death, Petty finished the 2000 season racing his son's car in the Busch Series.

Related Topics:
Adam Petty - 2000 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Busch Series

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Petty is active in many charitable causes, such as the Victory Junction Gang Camp for terminally ill children, which he established to honor his late son, as well as an annual charity motorcycle ride across the country.

Related Topics:
Camp - Motorcycle

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In 2005, Petty proposed that NASCAR begin making their races much shorter to keep casual viewers interested. New article on Petty's views

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