(
March 14 ,
1913 (near
Randleman, North Carolina ) -
April 5 ,
2000 ) was an American
Stock Car driver in the 1950s and 60s. He was one of the pioneers of
NASCAR , and one of its first superstars.
Lee Petty was thirty-five years old before he began racing. He began his NASCAR career at NASCAR's first race at
Charlotte Speedway (not
Charlotte Motor Speedway ). He finished in the Top 5 in season points for NASCAR's first eleven seasons. He won the
NASCAR Championship on three occasions and the inaugural
Daytona 500 in 1959.
He was the father of
Richard Petty , who would become NASCAR's all-time race winner. With sons Richard and Maurice, he founded
Petty Enterprises , which became NASCAR's most successful racing team. He was the grandfather of
Kyle Petty , and great grandfather of
Adam Petty .
Lee Petty passed away at 4:50
A.m. on
April 5 ,
2000 at Moses Cones Hospital in
Greensboro, North Carolina , at the age of 87, several weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. He was buried at the Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery in
Randleman, North Carolina .
