LEVEL CROSS, N.C. — In a few days, WFMY News 2 turns 75. Over the course of this week, we're also recognizing some of the local businesses that also opened their doors in 1949. 75 years ago, a father and his sons were building racecars in their Level Cross garage. Little did they know, it would turn into a racing empire.
Richard Petty's father, Lee Petty began building race cars in 1949 and Richard was right in the middle of it. Richard said, "First cup race I went to, I was 11 years old. My brother and myself and my cousin, Dale Inman, we all worked on the cars when we were 12, 14 years old."
Lee Petty retired in the early sixties, but built the foundation for what was coming next. Lee was the first one to win three championships until Richard came along. He tore up the record books. He won seven NASCAR Championships, 200 race wins, seven Daytona 500 wins.
His son, Kyle Petty, was to carry the Petty racing torch after his dad retired. Kyle made his Major League stock car debut at 18 and won the very first race he entered, becoming the youngest driver to win a major. But he had big shoes to fill. And by that time the Petty Empire was a lot to juggle, with both father and son still on the track. Richard said, "I should quit then, you know what I mean? And then put all my effort in, in what he was doing. And I think, uh we both would have been more successful."
Richard Petty's grandson, Adam, came on the scene with big dreams and also big shoes to fill. "Adam was supposed to be the 4th generation and everyone was expecting Adam to take over Petty Enterprises," Richard said. “But the Good Lord didn’t see fit. This is not the way it was going to be.”
Adam died in a practice session for the Busch 200 race. He was only 19. Before his death, while touring a camp for special needs children, Adam had a revelation. He looked around and asked why their family couldn't do something like that. That was the beginning of Victory Junction.
Richard said, “We’re celebrating 20 years this year and that’s served about 40 or 50 thousand kids that wouldn’t get to go to a normal camp," Richard said. “We have a hospital at the camp that can help them with any problems they have and we take care of any diseases or handicaps they may have. It’s been great.”
When you ask the King of NASCAR about the legacy of a family who was the centerpiece of the sport for 75 years, his answer might surprise you. He said, "Petty enterprises and racing is history. It's gonna go away. Victory Junction can always be here and it can always be looked at as part of the Petty legacy."
Today, that legacy is known as Petty's Garage, rebranded from Petty Enterprises. Victory Junction, the Petty Family Foundation, Richard Petty Motorsports, Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, and Petty Museum where you can see Petty's history for yourself. For more information on each, click the links.
We'll be celebrating 75 a little more this week. We're catching up with some familiar faces and celebrating other businesses turning 75. Don't miss it!
Of course, this weekend we want you to celebrate 75 years with us! Sunday, August 18th, we'll be at Triad Park from 2:00pm - 4:00pm for a party! There will be food trucks, a performance from Eric and the Chill Tones, and, of course, members of the WFMY News 2 team! We hope to see you there.