Few things are as important as family, thanksgiving dinners, and naps. For the King of Nascar, Richard Petty, it’s all about having it all. Doesn’t his NASCAR record substantiate our claim? But, this time, this holiday season, he missed something important mainly because of his nap. Who doesn’t remember the feeling of waking up startled after a full, cozy meal, thinking two years have passed?
Besides, he ticked off one thing well – the food. And isn’t that at least half the point? So, what exactly happened at the Petty’s this Thanksgiving?
The story of a Kingless photo
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At the Petty’s this year, the house and the tummies were full. The tradition took a full circle. The King reported that usually, during the holiday, the table sits around half or two-thirds of the “crowd.” And, sure enough, from the family photo shared by Kyle Petty, one can see about 24 people. Housefull, isn’t it?
That’s what the fans saw in the aftermath of Thanksgiving dinner. All members of the Petty extended family together in one massive group photo. Except, upon closer inspection, fans realized someone was missing. One of NASCAR’s winningest drivers, Richard Petty, was nowhere to be seen in the picture. While some sent their wishes to Kyle Petty and co, most fans remained curious about where the King was.
It wasn’t long before Richard Petty came out with an answer. In an episode of ‘Fan Questions Only’, Petty revealed the story behind the instance. “They bring all the food. They were there all morning. We all start eating as soon as they get stuff in. Probably, about 2 o’clock, I think they finally sat down and started eating. And so when they got through eating, I went in the Den, and I laid down, and I said, I’ll take a little nap here. You know, I was plum full,” Richard Petty said.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richard Petty (@therichardpetty)
And, then, he woke up to an empty house. Now, which one of us hasn’t had that feeling? Talk about big meals, full hearts, full houses! It was the same for the 87-year-old NASCAR legend: “Everybody was gone. I said I must have been dreaming, you know. But then I looked in the fridge, and they had left me some leftovers. So, I know I hadn’t missed anything.”
This year’s celebrations were particularly important for the Petty family. Just a few months ago, the family came together at the Martinsville race to celebrate 75 years of the Petty family’s racing legacy. Lee Petty’s NASCAR foundations reached new heights under Richard Petty, with his 7-Cup Series titles. It’s left a permanent mark on American racing history and remains an unmatched legacy in the sport’s history.
It’s just one of the traditions the NASCAR family shares. Earlier this year, Richard Petty’s grandchildren shared a scary experience with The King.
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Driving with the Pettys: Another Tradition
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Richard Petty’s passion for racing extends to teaching his grandchildren to drive. Unlike a typical DMV test, they had to complete the Richard Petty driving assessment to earn their licenses, a tradition he doesn’t seem to have missed. In a YouTube channel, four of his grandchildren shared memories of their unique “sweet sixteen” driving experiences.
Maggie, Richard’s granddaughter, fondly recalled how they had to go through the Richard Petty driving test after getting their driver’s license. “Every time we got our driver’s license…he had to get us in the car. We have to pass the Richard Petty driving test. That was scary. Not getting in the car with the driving teacher, getting in the car with him scary,” she explained. Hanna, another of Richard Petty’s grandchildren, added, “He wore a (racing) helmet with me.”
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“He took me somewhere and said, ‘Get back to the house,’ and I said, ‘Don’t know how to get back.’ And he said, ‘Too bad, you got to figure out. Should have been paying attention’,” Hanna recalled. Can one even overlook the practicality of his approach? Especially in the context of Petty’s career, which revolved around making quick decisions and facing intense challenges, he might be the best coach to others. Moreover, holding the record for the most NASCAR victories (200) and sharing the lead for the most championships (7) certainly adds to his credibility.
Do you have any family traditions around Thanksgiving and/or driving?