WATCH: “I was closer to Adam than I ever was with Kyle”- Richard Petty breaks down his relationship with late grandson Adam Petty

Richard Petty was a massive influence to Adam Petty when he was growing up.

WATCH: “I was closer to Adam than I ever was with Kyle”- Richard Petty breaks down his relationship with late grandson Adam Petty

Richard Petty, Adam Petty and Kyle Petty (Via IMAGO)

The Petty family is one of the most well-known American racing families of all time. They’ve had more than four generations of racers inclduing Cup champions Lee Petty and Richard Petty who raced their heart out in NASCAR. One driver from the family that never fulfilled their potential was Kyle Petty’s son Adam Petty, who tragically died in an accident May 2000 during his 48th Busch Series start.

Recently Adam Petty’s grandfather and seven times Cup champion Richard Petty, also known as ‘King’, was on the Dale. Jr Download Podcast. During his talk with Dale Earnhardt Jr. the former NASCAR driver spoke about the relationship he shared with his grandson and how much closer he was to Adam compared to his son Kyle. 

I was more excited with Adam winning. I was closer to Adam than I ever was with Kyle because growing up and doing things I was so busy I just let him be his own man. When Adam came along I had a little more time to circulate around and be a buddy.
Richard Petty said via the Dale. Jr Download Podcast.

Richard Petty looked to be a lot closer with his grandson, as the pair were seen going ASA multiple times before Adam’s horrific accident. The insights into the relationship with his grandson really seemed to make the 86-year-old remember old times.

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Richard Petty recollects his dad Lee Petty’s horrific Daytona 1961 crash

During the Daytona 500 NASCAR race back in 1961 there was a massive collision between Johnny Beauchamp and Lee Petty. The crash happened because Beauchamp lost control of his car and hit Petty.

Richard Petty (Via IMAGO)
Richard Petty (Via IMAGO)

The accident was horrific and Lee Petty was instantly admitted to Daytona Hospital for 4 months. During the same podcast, Richard Petty spoke about the damage the accident caused his father and how he and his family dealt with it back then.

He had a rod in his neck, a rod in a leg. Whatever’s up here, tore kneecap up, punctured the lung, broke a couple of ribs. And we went over there, I think it was Monday after the accident. In fact he and mother stayed the day, she didn’t even come home. So, she walked in and said, ‘Okay, I talked to D and he was kind. Out of there, she said ‘Y’all go home, go to Greensboro and get a car.
Richard Petty speaking on the Dale. Jr Download Podcast

The entire incident was nearly fatal, with Richard Petty also claiming how his father Lee Petty didn’t realize the seriousness of the injury as the driver thought he’d be back racing in a week’s time. The injury really seemed to be a massive blow to the Petty family and something that any family shouldn’t go through.

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