Fallen Racing Heroes: Adam Petty

The FUTURE.  That's what Adam Petty was for his family's racing legacy.  He had the determination of his grandfather Richard, and the personality and charisma of his father Kyle.  At the age of 18 he competed in the ARCA racing series and scored his first win at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1998.  It seemed like racing fans were all excited that another generation of the family was going to take the helm as a premier driver in NASCAR, and bring the Petty's another championship down the road.

 Adam in Victory Lane after his ARCA win at Charlotte. (left to right:Richard, Adam, and Kyle Petty)












Adam drove full-time in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1999 with the number 45 car keeping in tradition of the family numerical order (#42 Lee,#43 Richard, #44 Kyle, #45 Adam) and showing promise with a sixth place finish at Daytona and occasional top-tens. on April 2, 2000 Adam qualified in his first Winston Cup race (now Sprint Cup) on his first attempt, qualifying 33rd at Texas.  Unfortunately his engine gave way in his Cup debut race ending in a 40th place finish. 

TRAGEDY.  During practice for the Busch Series event in New Hampshire, Adam's car lost control in turn three colliding with the wall head on... This being before the mandate of head and neck restraints, his collison was fatal.  The NASCAR community and race fans alike mourned for the loss of what was thought to be a bright and talented young driver and the future of the sport. 

After his passing, father Kyle took over the number 45 car and made that his number in the Cup series as well to honor his son, one of the few numbers that in my opinion should be retired from use in the two top NASCAR series to pay tribute.

VICTORY.  As sad and tragic as death of a loved one is, this one brought new hope and happiness to others from the idea of Adam's parents Kyle and Patti.  In 2004 The Victory Junction Camp www.victoryjunction.org/ was opened in Randleman, NC in Adam's memory, as a place for children with life threatening illnesses and disabilities to take part in fun activities, and enjoy living life to the fullest.  Another example of how in dismal times faith from the human spirit can bring a silver lining to the hearts of children, fans, and his family.

So in the grand scheme of things, with a loss comes a gain.  The loss of Adam turned into the gain of children's hope and faith in life, giving them and their families the strength and courage to carry on and move forward.  Thank you to Adam and the entire Petty family for your inspiration to others.

                                                                 (Adam Kyler Petty: July 10, 1980-May 12, 2000)