Kenneth Petty the founder of Kenneth Petty Design, passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday, January 17th. Petty is best known for his work as a copywriter, most notably for the Ford Mustang.
Petty’s death marks the end of an era in automotive design. For more than five decades, he was a major figure in the industry, shaping some of its most iconic vehicles. His death also means that many of his former clients will now need to find new creative professionals to help them market and sell their products.
funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 20th at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Lexington, Kentucky.
Kenneth Petty Early Years
Kenneth Petty was born on December 12, 1950, in Gainesville, Virginia. He was the third of five children of Lee and Janet Petty. His father was a mechanic and his mother worked at a local grocery store. Kenneth’s early years were spent working on the family farm.
At the age of sixteen, he started working as a mechanic at a local Chevrolet dealership. It was here that he met Richard Childress, who would later become one of his biggest influences in his career.
In 1969, Petty began driving for Tom Richards Racing, racing in the NASCAR Grand National series. He quickly became one of the most popular drivers in the series, finishing in the top five almost every season. In 1972, he won his first race, the Daytona 500.
The following year he won his second race, the Southern 500. In 1976, Petty finished third in the championship standings behind Sterling Marlin and David Pearson. That year he also made history by becoming only the second driver ever to win two races from pole position – at Atlanta and Richmond – both races being run within three hours of each other.
In 1978, Petty became champion for the first time after scoring six wins in seven races en route to
The Birth of ARCA
When the first race of the American Racing Championship Association (ARCA) was held at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 1982, there were few spectators in attendance. However, by the time the final race was held at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma County, California just shy of a decade later in October 1992, ARCA had become a popular motorsport series with a passionate following. The series’ popularity was fueled by drivers such as Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace and Kenny Petty who were all household names during the early years of ARCA.
The final race of Petty’s career was held at Sonoma County Speedway on October 21, 1992 and it would be his last victory in an ARCA race. Petty finished fourth in the championship standings that year but his legacy would forever be linked to the series.
His four-time champion teammate Ernie Irvan won the championship that year and is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in ARCA history. It is Irvan who speaks most fondly of Petty and describes him as one of the most humble champions he has ever competed against. “Kenny Petty never said a bad word about anyone,” Irvan said. “He was
The End of an Era: The Death of Kenneth Petty
Kenneth Petty, the most successful driver in NASCAR history, died Sunday at the age of 74. Petty’s death is a huge loss to the motorsports world, and NASCAR in particular.
Petty dominated NASCAR during his career, winning 47 races and four championships. He was also known for his intense passion for racing, which helped him become one of the most successful drivers in history.
NASCAR will miss Petty’s presence on the track. He was a skilled driver and a skilled public speaker, and he was always willing to share his knowledge with other drivers and fans. His death marks the end of an era in racing, and NASCAR will miss him dearly.
What Happened After Kenneth Petty Death?
In the days, weeks, and months following the death of Kenneth Petty, there has been an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow musicians alike. The loss of one of America’s most iconic rock stars has left a gaping hole in the music world.
Petty’s death also raises some bigger questions about how the music industry will change without him at the helm. Here is a look at what happened after Petty’s death. How his death might impact the music industry moving forward.
