![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/103268684_original.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 06: Team owner Richard Petty stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on August 6, 2010 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/103268684_original.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 06: Team owner Richard Petty stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on August 6, 2010 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)
With 200 career victories and seven Cup Series championships under his belt, Richard Petty is called ‘King’ for a reason. Clearly, his memorabilia would be high in demand. But what if it was an odd thing?
Well, Richard Petty’s hair is on auction… Again.
The auction page on Pristineauction.com had a description that read, “This bag of original Richard Petty hair measures approximately 2″ x 3″ in size and comes directly from the personal collection of Richard Petty. The bag is sealed with a tamper-proof authentication hologram.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The King’s hair fetched a surprising bid of $31.50, which might seem modest. It has received a total of three bids. And while it’s quite an odd choice for memorabilia, he has sold many of his belongings already, like bank statements too!
The last time Petty held an auction, was in 2018, when he sold around 175 items, from race cars to report cards, which fetched more than $750,000. Call him whatever, but Petty has his style and followers, who simply love him. The 2018 auction happened in Las Vegas last at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
The cheapest item that went for auction at Planet Hollywood was a VHS tape about Petty’s racing exploits in Alabama released in 1992. A bidder snapped that up for $50. And the most expensive was Petty’s 1974 Dodge Charger that he drove to victory in the Daytona 500 that year. The car sold for a whopping $490,000.
But back in 2018, too, Petty had sold his hair. Believe it or not, he went on to sell even stranger things like his old clothes, Walmart greeter tags, expired IDs, and even his school report cards! Why did he auction them? In 2018, he stated, “I had a lot of stuff My kids didn’t want it or had everything they did want, and same for the grandkids. Everything they really asked for, I made to take care of them.”
Now, don’t think about who buys things. Petty’s items went to the highest bidders around the world. Even the smallest of canceled checks from celebrities are a favorite among pop-culture fans, as noted by Darren Julien, founder of Julien’s Auctions, who organized the auction event for Richard Petty in 2018. He mentioned, “It was brilliant. His checks bring a lot of money. Some of his personal checks sell for up to $400 because it’s an authentic signature.”
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1357409215.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 05: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty looks on before a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
But let us not give Petty a tough time. His hair isn’t the only odd item the world has seen being auctioned. History tells us this isn’t a rare instance. Did you know Marilyn Monroe’s canceled checks were sold for a couple of thousand dollars each? Similarly, Jimmy Stewart would write checks when he went to a restaurant and had a meal alone, and it would be for $5 or $10. He knew the restaurant would not cash the check because they would want it as a souvenir.
Further, the false tooth from Churchill sold for a whopping £18,000 ($19526.49) earlier this year. But coming back to Petty’s hair being auctioned, fans had some strong reactions.
NASCAR fans may love Richard Petty but draw the line!
Poll of the day
Kyle Larson & HMS Are Planning to Return to Indy 500 Next Year. But Should They?
Yes! It Is Great for NASCAR
No, It Was a Disaster This Time
When Redditors came to know about Petty’s hair being auctioned, they were stunned. One fan simply stated, “Gross.”
Another fan echoed similar sentiments and wrote, “I am die-hard Richard Petty fan…I bleed Petty blue… I am not touching that sh*t with a 50 ft pole.”
Well, here’s the thing. Remember how we discussed Petty’s hair being auctioned in 2018? While it was estimated to sell around $800 – $1,200, it was eventually sold at $256. Pretty high for just some hair!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Richard Petty is the winningest NASCAR driver there is. Surely, he must have many trophies and interesting things to auction off. Hence, fans were perplexed about why he would go with his hair. Voicing the same sentiment, one fan wrote, “But … but why?” Well, this question has many scratching their heads over it, and seems like even Petty fans wouldn’t dare buy his hair.
But the good part is, there are some other great items being auctioned that Petty’s fans might want to look at:
- Richard Petty’s motorsports team formation original plaque from 2009.
- Custom sunglasses owned by Richard Petty.
- Richard Petty’s original school photo from 1952-53.
- Signed garage metal Richard Petty figure sign.
- Signed Vintage Phone book owned by Petty.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, the fact that the hair comes with authentication, much like how gold is certified, made a fan couldn’t help but crack a joke, “I’m surprised it’s not autographed, too.”
Well, what do you think of his hair being sold? Let us know in the comments below.