“The King” Richard Petty is an American hero. He is not just the face of American motorsports, but he is also the epitome of American excellence. It’s why throughout the year he has rubbed shoulders with countless U.S. presidents. Transcending his presence beyond just the racetracks to Washington.

Given all that, Petty will now add another highlight to his decorated career when he and his iconic memorabilia will grace Donald Trump’s inaugural parade.

Petty’s NASCAR heritage at President Trump’s swearing-in ceremony

After winning in landslide fashion, Donald Trump is poised to celebrate in style, for which the executive branch will be bringing along representatives from across the nation. However, as the organizing team reviewed the list of representatives, they noticed North Carolina wasn’t represented. Being the heartland of NASCAR, the Trump team couldn’t help but invite the King of NASCAR himself. Petty’s name is synonymous with the state and stock car racing, so the decision to invite him just made sense. On top of that, the decision to showcase his legendary Plymouth Superbird just shows how historic of a move it is for NASCAR.

Rebecca Petty, Richard’s daughter, revealed how the decision came about: “I got a call maybe a couple days before Christmas, and I mean, of course, I was excited about it, but I said I’ll have to ask my daddy. So I asked my daddy, and he said, ‘Shoot yeah, let’s send the Superbird.’ You know, my dad’s getting older, and we’re just trying to keep him relevant and the brand alive. We just finished celebrating our seventy-fifth year, so it’s nice to get the car back out there. We don’t pull it out very often. It’s always got to be a special event,” Rebecca told WFMY

The iconic bright blue Plymouth Superbird is a showstopper, it rarely leaves the Richard Petty’s Museum unless it’s a special event. And what more special an event could be than the President’s inauguration? Over the years, during his legendary run in NASCAR, he won a collective 200 wins and seven championships. All of that combined is more than enough to consider him an American icon of all time. So it only made sense that the Petty family decided to participate in the parade with the Superbird. The participation in the parade is also a nod to the family’s ongoing mission to keep Richard Petty and the Petty brand in the public eye. The car will be present at the U.S. Coast Guard section of the parade.

Speaking about the opportunity, the King couldn’t help but jest. “I said, ‘If you let Trump ride in it, I’ll send it up there!’ But anyhow, they’re going to send one of the deals. One of my daughters is going with the car, so I thought it was a pretty big deal to be invited just to be in the parade. And then we’re going to be able to take one of the racecars out of the museum and put it in the parade, so it’s a big deal for the Petty crowd anyway.” 

The Superbird is a highly recognizable eye candy. With a towering rear wing and a really sleek aerodynamic nose, the cars holds a special place in history. This beast roared and dominated the 70s, so much so that it became a cultural icon, even inspiring the character of Strip “The King” Weathers in Disney’s Cars movie.

Richard Petty’s museum and presidential encounters

Trending

1

Iconic Rock Band’s $65 Million Reality Check Bursts Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ‘Hate’ Bubble

2

Amid FedEx’s Shock Exit, Denny Hamlin Rewarded With a Surprise Gift by Joe Gibbs’ Loyal Sponsor

3

Daniel Suarez and Wife Offer the Wallace Couple to Relieve Them of Their Parenting Duties

4

Roger Penske’s Plan to Overtake NASCAR Revealed by Latest F1 Hire

For years, the Petty Museum has been catering to countless fans of the king. The historic museum in North Carolina offers a glimpse into Petty’s life and career throughout the years. Among the many exhibits, one wall is particularly fascinating, it’s dedicated to the presidents Petty has met over the years. From photos to memorabilia, it features his relationship with presidents throughout the years. Be it Nixon, Reagan, Busch Sr, Bush Jr and now Trump, they are all up there in his museum.

The iconic southern 500 was graced by the presence of Richard Nixon. And when Petty won, Nixon personally congratulated him on Victory Lane. This moment elevated NASCAR’s national presence and pride. It has been featured in Petty’s museum. The timeless picture of Petty visiting President Bush in the White House itself is amongst the wall of presidential memorabilia.

Richard Petty’s involvement in the inauguration parade is more than just a ceremonial gesture; it’s an example of his enduring influence on American culture. As he and the iconic Superbird take their place in history once again, it’s a reminder of the lasting bond between NASCAR, its fans, and the nation.