Return of the King: 71-year-old Richard Petty to field a team in this year's Indy 500
Click above for an image gallery of Richard Petty's Indy 500 entry
For the first time in history, an open-wheel racecar bearing Richard Petty's classic #43 on the side and powder blue and red livery will circle the oval at the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24th. The 71-year-old Petty won't be behind the wheel, instead acting as a team owner. Driving duties will be ably handled by John Andretti, nephew of Mario Andretti, who won the Indy 500 in 1969.
Over his 35-year career as a NASCAR driver, Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 a total of 7 times, a record that stands to this day. John Andretti has raced for Petty a few times in the past and won the race at Martinsville Speedway in 1999. We're not huge fans of oval racing in general, but the tie-in with Richard Petty Motorsports will surely help the Indy 500 grab plenty of attention from NASCAR's rabid (and huge) fan base. Check out the Petty livery for yourself in our gallery below.
Gallery: Richard Petty Motorsports Indy 500
[Source: FanHouse]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bert 1:48PM (4/10/2009)
I hate to be a wet blanket, but is this Petty jumping-the-shark?
I wish The King all the best and I certainly hope they are competitive. There is only one also-ran that I like SUPA_AGURI!
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Mr.Oak 1:52PM (4/10/2009)
Just glad he didn't join the NASCAR circus. Wish him well.
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Jason 2:39PM (4/10/2009)
John Andretti has driven for Petty in NASCAR before...
JF 2:04PM (4/10/2009)
Very cool to see, hopefully there's a full field this year for sure.
Also, I'm waiting for all the oval-track hating comments, but I have a feeling that won't happen since this is IRL and not NASCAR, even though they both race mostly on ovals.
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LX builder 2:14PM (4/10/2009)
Mr. Oak, a little confused?
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Mr.Oak 3:15PM (4/10/2009)
Not confused, Just glad that he went to a different form of motor racing.
I am fully aware that Mr. Petty has owned NASCAR teams in the past.
John Andretti sucked.
LX builder 3:33PM (4/10/2009)
Petty is still involved in NASCAR. That would be the team now callled Petty Motorsports (formerly GEM racing) fielding the numbers 9, 19, 43, and 44 Dodges.
LX builder 2:16PM (4/10/2009)
At least this looks like a Petty car, unlike the two that are running in NASCAR with his name attached to them.
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Kevin 2:47PM (4/10/2009)
"Caution just came out folks" John Andretti has spun out on the first lap of the Indianapolis 500.
John Andretti, he has mad skillz, he is great in NASCAR. I wish I had a great last name and no talent.
ha ha ha
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AZZO45b 9:29PM (4/10/2009)
Kevin: Stop talking out of your A$$!!! "No talents, living off their name..." don't record victories in:
(1) Indy cars (CART)
(2) NHRA Top Fuel
(3) Sports cars
(4) NASCAR
John Andretti does his talking on the track, while you babble on the internet. Cousin Michael has an obvious superior Indy car record, but never recorded wins in other high profile series. Love that you pi$$ on journeyman drivers! :(
Kevin 2:49PM (4/10/2009)
Another thing for Kyle Petty to be pissed out. HAHA
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Enok 3:55PM (4/10/2009)
At 71, he can still balance himself on a tire like that? No wait, the other dude is holding onto his shoulder.
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Judgeman 4:07PM (4/10/2009)
If the announcer at this years 500 says "boogity boogity" I'll literally throw up. Any attempt to "Nascar up" open wheel racing is frightening. Before you know it you'll have girls racing.
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Tony 5:04PM (4/10/2009)
At least King Richard doesn't whore himself out like Mr Snake in the grass.
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