| Birthplace: | near Randleman, North Carolina | |
| Born: | March 14, 1914 | |
| Died: | April 5, 2000 | |
| Cause of Death: | stomach aneurysm | |
| Awards: | 1954 Grand National Champion
1958 Grand National Champion 1959 Grand National Champion inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1990) inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1996) North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame | |
| NASCAR Cup statistics | ||
| 427 races run over 16 years. | ||
| Best Cup Position: | 1st - 1954, 1958, 1959 (Grand National) | |
| First Race: | 1949 Charlotte Speedway (NASCAR's first race) | |
| Last Race: | 1964 Watkins Glen International | |
| First Win: | 1949 Heidelberg Raceway (Pittsburgh) | |
| Last Win: | 1961 Speedway Park (Jacksonville) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 54 | 332 | 18 |
Lee Petty (March 14, 1914 (near Randleman, North Carolina) - April 5, 2000) was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 60s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars.
Career[]
Lee Petty was thirty-five years old before he began racing. He began his NASCAR career at NASCAR's first race at Charlotte Speedway (not Charlotte Motor Speedway). He finished in the Top 5 in season points for NASCAR's first eleven seasons. He won the NASCAR Championship on three occasions and the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.
Petty Enterprises[]
He was the father of Richard Petty, who would become NASCAR's all-time race winner. With sons Richard and Maurice, he founded Petty Enterprises, which became NASCAR's most successful racing team. He was the grandfather of Kyle Petty and great-grandfather of Adam Petty.
Awards[]
- In 1990, Lee Petty was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996.
- He was elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Teams[]
Petty Enterprises 1949-1964
Gary Drake 1954
Carl Krueger 1955
Death[]
Lee Petty died at 4:50 a.m. on April 5, 2000, at Moses Cones Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of 86, several weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. He was buried at the Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery in Randleman, North Carolina.
External links[]
- Lee Petty article from the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame
- Lee Petty's statistics at racing-reference.info
| Petty Family |
|---|
| Adam Petty | Kyle Petty | Lee Petty |