The Petersen Automotive Museum will honor “The King,” Richard Petty (above, left, Hal Crocker photo), with the museum’s Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at a March 23 gala birthday celebration. The event will feature an all-star panel including son Kyle Petty, former NASCAR champions Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace, and the sanctioning body’s president, Mike Helton. Mike Joy, veteran anchor of the FOX NASCAR broadcasts, will MC the evening.
Previous winners of the Petersen Award include Dan Gurney, Art Chrisman, Carroll Shelby, George Barris, Andy Granatelli, The Ford Family, Vic Edelbrock, Jack Roush, Ed “Isky” Iskenderian, “Speedy” Bill Smith, Alex Xydias, Wally Parks and Ed Pink.
“Stock car racing is one of the most uniquely American forms of motorsport, and nobody casts as big a shadow in that world as Richard Petty,” said Terry Karges, Executive Director of the Petersen Museum. “His larger than life persona and incredible talent behind the wheel have done more for the sport than just about anyone else, and we’re thrilled to help him celebrate his 80th birthday.”
The evening will also feature a live auction with Barrett-Jackson’s Joseph Mast as the auctioneer. Among the items being auctioned are a 2017 Ford Mustang Richard Petty 80th Tribute Edition styled by The King himself, a signature custom-designed Charlie 1 Horse cowboy hat worn by Richard Petty and a custom-painted Tennessee Electric Guitar that was created and painted to celebrate The King’s seven championship-winning cars. There will also be a mobile silent auction beginning on March 9 and running through March 23, which can be accessed through the Petersen’s website. The charity auctions will benefit both the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Petty Family Foundation. For further information please visit www.petersen.org
