08/29/1980 (From L) Maurice Petty and brother Richard Petty discuss an engine change that kept Petty out of the first round of qualifying for the Southern 500. UPI FILE PHOTO

Richard Petty, center, celebrates the 25th anniversary of his 200th win with 200 race fans that attended his win 25 years ago prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Purchase This Image | Browse our store

HAMPTON, GA - SEPTEMBER 05: Former NASCAR champion Richard Petty, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 5, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

HAMPTON, GA - SEPTEMBER 05: Former NASCAR champion Richard Petty checks lap times, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 5, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Richard Petty – a.k.a. "The King" – had just recorded his 200th victory when this photo was taken in early July 1984 at the Petty Enterprises shops in Level Cross, N.C. – File

David Pearson inches to the finish line Feb. 15, 1976, at Daytona International Speedway to win the Daytona 500, his first in the event. In the infield is Richard Petty, who finished second after the rivals slammed into each other, then the wall while battling on the final lap. – File

A young Richard Petty after he won the pole for the second World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1961. – File

Richard Petty (50) won the Lone Star 500 at Texas World Speedway in 1972. Bobby Isaac runs with Petty in this image. – File

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt Jr., left, and Richard Petty, seven-time NASCAR series champion, shake hands before the Indy 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Seth Rossman)

Purchase This Image | Browse our store

Richard Petty winning the 1983 Winston 500 in Talladega. File Photo

NASCAR legend Richard Petty arrives for the premiere of the Disney/Pixar animated film "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday May 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Purchase This Image | Browse our store

Richard Petty file photo 1971