The most recognizable and winningest driver in all of NASCAR is Richard "the King" Petty. From his Charlie One Horse hat and sunglasses, to his impressive 200 all time wins, The King is certainly tops in NASCAR's biggest sport.

Born July 2, 1937, the son of Elizabeth and NASCAR great Lee Petty who won the first Daytona 500 in 1959, and was himself a three time Cup Champion, Richard Petty began racing in NASCAR on July 18, 1958. He finished 17th in his first race, and was Rookie of the Year with 9 finished in the top 10.

In 1964, Petty won his first of seven Daytona 500's and won the NASCAR championship in the same year.

After a year off, he returned to NASCAR with invigoration and in 1967 set a milestone record. Out of 48 races, Petty won 27, ten of which were consecutive wins. He also won his second of 7 championships. It was during this season sportscasters were beginning to dub him "The King."

Even a change in automotive manufacturers from Chrysler to Ford for a season produced 10 wins and 2nd place finish in the championship. He proved with this move that he could race in anything, and was convinced by Chrysler to return in the 1970 season. The sleek Plymouth Superbird, caught Petty's eye, and is now synonymous with his racing career. The shark tip nose, and wing on the car proved it one of the most original and unique cars to date.

In 1971, Petty won his third Daytona 500, as well as winning 20 more races and claiming over $1,000,000 in career earnings, the first driver to ever do so. The next year, sponsor STP climbed on board just in time for Petty's 4th Championship in now the Winston Cup.

Claiming 13 races for wins in 1975, Petty was one of only two to set a record for most wins in a single season during the "Modern Era".

After a 45 race drought without a win, Petty won at Daytona, the first televised live flag to flag NASCAR race on national TV. This race became notorious for a fistfight on the final lap. Petty won due to the fact Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crashed on the last lap while running first and second respectively. Holding off Darrel Waltrip and A.J Foyt (of open wheel fame), Petty won his sixth Daytona and seventh and final Winston Cup Championship.

In 1981, Petty won his last Daytona 500, and followed that up with his 200th win in 1984, which was a spectacular finish with President Ronald Regan in attendance at that race.

Petty retired at the end of the 1992 season; he took that whole

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