9781422284186

GREATEST MOMENTS

200 NASCARWins

That 1979 Daytona 500 win was the 186th of Petty’s career. Five years later, Petty was back at the Daytona International Speedway sitting on 199 career wins as he sat in his famous blue and red number 43 Pontiac at the starting line of the 1984 Firecracker 400. In attendance that day, in anticipation of a Petty victory, was U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Petty had won nine career races at this track, after all, so the president was playing the odds when he decided to become the first sitting president ever to attend a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) race. Petty did not disappoint, prevailing over Yarborough with a pass coming out of turn four on lap 158 of 160 to win by the nose of the car. The last two laps were run under a caution flag. Petty met with President Reagan before heading to victory lane to celebrate the record 200th and final win of his career.

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