NASCAR racing is a family sport in the truest sense. You will find fathers and sons racing in family owned vehicles, and brothers competing against brothers.

Perhaps The Petty Family can relate to that more than anyone.

Grandfather, Lee Petty, was a NASCAR pioneer racing as far back as 1949 in the very first event of the Winston Cup series. Then his son, Richard, followed him into this favorite sport of his.

Ask any NASCAR fan and they will be able to tell you that this man with the infectious smile and flowery signature has won 200 races and 7 Winston Cup Championships. Most of them either watched or have read about Richard's last win in a racecar at Daytona in July of 1984, with none other than President Ronald Reagan arriving just in time to witness Richard's 200th and final NASCAR victory.

Lee Petty's grandson, Kyle, continues to race and has become one of NASCAR's most popular drivers. 

Adam Petty became the first four-generation driver before his untimely death in May, 2000.

Not only the famous Petty smile that bears such a resemblance from one generation to another, but other gifts of kindness, faith, ambition and respect have been passed down the family line.

This family known as 'The Petty's' has shown a drive to win, fueled by a passion deep inside each of them that sometimes pushes them beyond their own abilities.

Kyle was probably nine or ten years old before he realized that everybody's father was not a race driver. His dream was to follow in the giant footsteps of his father, Richard, and grandfather, Lee, and become a NASCAR Winston Cup driver. 

He would, indeed, see this come true as he began to race and soon endeared himself to a willing public. Winning races and sharing his faith and convictions to fans world-wide, Kyle stands as an example to the young drivers circling the racetracks across our country today.

The pressure on the track is very intense. But, with the incredible explosion of NASCAR's popularity the spotlight of these high-profile drivers has caused many growing pains. Along with the growth of the sport has come more media, more signing autographs, and more total responsibility on the driver. It is now an all-inclusive package.

But, America - and more increasingly world-wide - has a special love for these fast cars. It is a sport set apart from any other. One of the reasons is fan loyalty to Kyle Petty and the other NASCAR drivers seen in millions of living rooms 36 weeks out of the year.

Although 18 year-old Kyle was no stranger to speed, his maturity shown at the 1979 preliminary feature of the Daytona 500 pleased many. Qualifying second he went on to win that ARCA race. His first ever driving of a stock car competitively was definitely a success.

Six months later Kyle made his debut in the Winston Cup series at the Talladega Superspeedway. He finished a respectable ninth.

This handsome and outgoing Kyle who would never win as many races as his famous father, did become the first third-generation driver to win a NASCAR race at Richmond International Speedway in 1986. Dover Downs International Speedway in 1995 was Kyle's eighth and most recent NASCAR victory.

Some exciting days for Kyle was the anticipation of racing with his son, Adam, at the Texas Motor Speedway on April 2, 2000. Racing against dads was nothing new to the Petty family. Texas was to be Kyle's opportunity to race against his son.

It didn't happen.

Adam qualified 33rd in the forty-three-car field. Kyle was forty-fourth. The final round of qualifying was rained out the next day and the last seven spots were provisionals based on car owner points. Kyle did not make it. Disappointed because Adam wanted to race against his dad in his Winston Cup debut, they continued their sponsor appearances together.

On the day of that debut at Texas Motor Speedway Adam raced like a professional. Passing cars and being passed he handled himself well. About one third way through the race Elliott Sadler was injured from a cut left-rear tire slicing through his car and hitting him on the shoulder.

Since Kyle had previously driven for the Wood Brothers team he was summoned to replace Elliott. Perhaps there would still be opportunity for father to race son. Just as Kyle was getting ready to go into the race, Adam's car blew an engine, ending his day. That dream never came true. Kyle drove onto the track as Adam coasted into the garage area. Both knew it would have been a fun time.

One month later Adam had that horrific crash that ended his earthly life during Busch practice at New Hampshire International Speedway. That day began one of the most difficult struggles of any human's life. The loss of a son. The Petty's became a family of grieving souls.

Kyle was quick to tell the world that the only thing that sustained them at this time was their faith in God. The phenomenal outpouring from fans world-wide was unbelievable. But, their comfort came from the Bible. They found that comfort in the words of Jesus.

Those days that followed it seemed every waking moment the Petty family was thinking of Adam and hurting so deeply. Yet, God strengthened the family faith. Kyle's beautiful former Miss Winston wife, Pattie, son, Austin, and daughter, Montgomery Lee, began spending more time together.

This family who already played together, prayed together, worked together, and read the Bible together became more intense about keeping God as their first priority.

Tragic things can happen to all of us. We can prepare ourselves for our daily jobs. But, we must do as Kyle's family had done and prepare ourselves spiritually. That spirit preparation is important regardless of our walk in life.

Kyle still looks out for Petty Enterprises, races 36 weeks out of the year, and still has energy to continue to bring to fruition the Victory Junction Gang. A camp that is being built in Adam's honor for children with life threatening illnesses. Richard, Kyle, and Pattie, along with other family members, are working diligently to make this a place where children can come to play, laugh, and share big smiles, much like the smiles the Petty's have made famous.

So 'The Petty' dynasty lives on!

Richard, the tall thin man with the jeans, cowboy hat, Winston Cup Championship buckle and sunglasses, strolls along pit road during the races wearing his headset to monitor the drivers of the Petty Enterprise cars. Fans still go to great lengths to get the famous flowery #43 autograph of this former Winston Cup Champion.

Kyle drives round and round the racetrack each week. Doing the only thing he ever knew or ever wanted to do - racing.

Both are waiting for that happy reunion with son and grandson - Adam.