Kyle Petty, a renowned stock car driver, was born on June 2, 1960, in Randleman, North Carolina, to a family with a rich NASCAR heritage. His father, Richard Petty, is a legendary driver who has won the Daytona 500 a record seven times and the points championship a record-tying seven times, with a total of 200 career victories.
Kyle's grandfather, Lee Petty, was a three-time NASCAR champion, further solidifying the family's connection to the sport. He has three younger sisters, Sharon, Lisa, and Rebecca. After graduating from Randleman High School in 1978, Kyle announced his desire to pursue a career in Winston Cup racing, despite his father's initial reservations.
Undeterred, Kyle turned down a football scholarship to focus on his racing aspirations. Just days after marrying Pattie, whom he met while browsing horses with his family, Kyle flew to Daytona, Florida, to compete at Daytona International Speedway, where he made a triumphant debut by winning the race.
Kyle's NASCAR career began in earnest, racing five Winston Cup events for Petty Enterprises in 1979. He became the first third-generation driver in the sport, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. The same year, he welcomed his first child, Adam Kyler Petty, born on July 10, 1980.
Kyle's family continued to grow, with the arrival of his second son, Austin Kemp Petty, on March 24, 1982. In 1984, he decided to leave Petty Enterprises and join the Wood Brothers, Felix Sabates, and various sponsors, including Peak, Mello Yello, and Coors Light. During this period, Kyle recorded eight NASCAR victories, the most recent coming in the spring of 1995.
Kyle's personal life also expanded, as he welcomed his third child, Montgomery Lee Petty, on December 17, 1985. In 1997, he founded his own team, PE2, in partnership with his father's team, Petty Enterprises. He took the #44 car and the hot-wheels sponsorship for the season. Today, Kyle resides in High Point, North Carolina, with his family.
