Richard Petty

Petty Enterprises makes its move for modernity

Ed Hinton on Richard Petty's racing career, at SI.com/WATN.

WHILE CALE YARBOROUGH TANGLED WITH THE ALLISON BROTHERS—ON THE TRACK AND THEN IN THE DIRT—CRAFTY OL' RICHARD PETTY SAILED BY TO CAPTURE HIS SIXTH DAYTONA 500

When NASCAR went nationwide

HE RACED INTO THE 1990s AND STILL STANDS AS THE SPORT'S WINNINGEST DRIVER, BUT IT WAS IN THE '60s THAT KING RICHARD STAKED HIS CLAIM TO THE THRONE AND SEEMED TO PAINT ALL OF NASCAR IN PETTY BLUE