The NASCAR series will be coming to a close in a few weeks as the country gears up for its biggest test. The United States presidential election will take place on November 5th, in what will be another monumental turning point in U.S. history. Quite topically, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Richard Petty opens up about how he met the then President, Mr. Barack Obama, and their wholesome exchange at the White House.
Meeting the president is a jittery moment for most people. While there is so much pride in your heart to achieve this feat, there is some doubt as well about how it might go. The Petty family went to meet Mr. President at his then-residence, the White House, during an event where Petty’s fashion choices were put to the sword.
Richard Petty Recounts Memories of Being Called the King by Mr. President
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King Petty has always been known for the countryside looks he puts up. Be it the classic hat or even the cowboy boots, these are the elements that add to his look and make it more rustic. However, wearing the same to the White House, well, that is what makes King Petty so unique, right? The Petty couple remembers how the King wanted to dress up with his classic cowboy boots on and it was a matter of concern for his wife Lynda.
Richard said, “So I go over and put my boots on. She says you can’t go to the White House with cowboy boots on. I said, I am going to the Whitehouse and I am gonna wear my cotton pickin boots… Obama came by and told the guy, said, hey, you’re sitting with the king there, and the guy said, he’s not the king”. His fans accorded the title ‘King’ was accorded to Richard Petty after the driver went on to put up the most spectacular season that anybody had witnessed. The King put up 27 race wins in the 1967 NASCAR Cup Series which is a record that stands to this day. Petty won 56 percent of the races and finished in the top 10 in 83 percent of them. That was only his second of seven Cup Series championships, which is the most of all time, equaled by Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson.
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But that is not all! Mr. President was also seen addressing Richard Petty as ‘The King’ in front of the entire crowd. Mr. President invited him as a guest to an event hosted in honor of the NASCAR veteran Jimmie Johnson and his impeccable contribution to the field of motorsport. While introducing Petty, the President said, “We’re also joined today by one of NASCAR’s all-time greats, “The King,” Richard Petty. Sitting right here. (Applause.) With a family tradition that’s generations strong, the Pettys are about as close as you can get to a NASCAR dynasty”. Meeting with the president can indeed be a tough nut to crack, and yet King Petty did make a worthwhile impression!
Richard Petty Talks about Blaney’s Detrimental Mistakes at Homestead
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Richard Petty, the NASCAR veteran has always been quite vocal about the current happenings on the track and shared his two bits on the same. The Homestead Miami Speedway did not prove to be eventful for Ryan Blaney, and what seemed to be a race under his clasps soon saw the victory snatched away from him. The final laps saw a major tassel between Denny Hamlin and Blaney struggling to capture the final lead. However, out of absolutely nowhere came Tyler Reddick as he shot past both the drivers and made it to the finishing line with a last-lap overtake.
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Petty highlighted the issues that contributed to Blaney’s loss. He said, “He thought he could run faster. In other words, when he went into that corner. This is the fastest groove for me. He didn’t get out of the way of the #45. He has done the very best that he knew, and he thought that groove would make him get through the corner quicker than the #45 car. It didn’t prove that way, but that #45 guy he went in that third corner faster than he’d ever went, I’ll put it that way”. Blaney contributed to a major mistake where he left a high line to Reddick and the 23 XI Racing driver took major advantage of the same. The mistake ended up with Blaney not making it to the checkered line and in a must-win situation to make it to Phoenix.
King Petty has been the ultimate NASCAR champion and his insights into the current races have been quite to the point and detailed.
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Richard Petty's cowboy boots at the White House: A bold statement or a fashion faux pas?
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