Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 2, 1992 TAG: 9202020071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
'DEAL' BEHIND WHEEL ABOUT TO CLOSE
It might come as a surprise to learn that Richard Petty, as a teen-ager, had no overwhelming urge to drive a race car. He did not picture himself the legend he became."It wasn't like a burning desire, something I had anticipated for years," he wrote in his first autobiography, "Grand National," published in 1971. "It just seemed to be something I should at least try and see if I liked."
After his first nine races in 1958, his father, Lee, asked him what he thought. "I'm not really sure yet," replied Richard, who would become "the King" of stock-car racing. "I'd like to try it another season."
Petty, to be sure, has lived and breathed stock-car racing. He watched his father set a record - which Richard would break - of 54 career victories. The young Richard Petty talked about racing incessantly and spent much of his childhood working on his father's cars.
But that burning desire to drive was a learned habit.
Now, 35 years later, Petty is slowly weaning himself from the addiction of his craft.
It is hard to do. Look at A.J. Foyt, who is withdrawing his vow to retire, even after his dramatic final salute to the crowd as he dropped out of last year's Indianapolis 500.
But Richard has given his word and developed his plan. He is finally ready, as he put it, "to quit the driving deal."
"I think he's made his peace with it," son Kyle said. "Once he makes up his mind - right, wrong or indifferent - he sticks with it."
Petty has given himself one more year.
One final swing on the circuit to say goodbye. One final season to experience that exquisite solitude in the driver's seat, away from all the world's demands. One final year to control all that power and speed. One final year to get it out of his system.
But 29 more races bring 29 more opportunities for havoc.
Back in the early 1970s, when "43 - The Petty Story" was released on the big screen, the Hollywood advertising plug was: "He drove with danger, raced with death!"
It might have applied to some, but it didn't apply to Petty. He rarely crashed. He was too busy winning.
Petty talks about all his breaks, bumps and bruises, but in 35 years of racing, he never has been seriously injured in a race car - certainly not like his father, who was nearly killed at Daytona, or one of his greatest foes, Bobby Allison, who almost died at Pocono (Pa.)
In recent years, however, that Hollywood slogan about danger, death and Richard Petty has edged too close to the truth.
"The King" has been kissing a lot of concrete. He was on crutches for a few weeks last spring after knocking himself silly at Charlotte and again at Sears Point (Calif.) seven days later.
Petty was in 18 yellow-flag crashes and incidents last year, far more than anybody else. That didn't happen in his prime.
Everyone knows Petty is taking too many punches these days, but he believes he can get away with another year behind the wheel, call it quits and move ahead with his life.
We certainly hope so, Richard, because you're too important to your fans, and your country, to experience some ugly fate in a race car. Not now. Not when you're a short-timer. We still need your shining example of what is best in racing.
A recent survey by Total Research Corp. of Princeton, N.J., found that Petty was among the top five celebrities in the country, along with people such as Bob Hope and Bill Cosby, whose endorsement carried the highest mark of quality.
Petty has represented himself, throughout his career, with unmatched dignity and grace. He has adapted to the intrusive demands of stardom and faced the masses with good cheer and boundless patience. No one, in any sport, at any time, has treated fans better.
For all he has done for the sport and for his fans, Petty deserves this final fling, even if it defies common sense. Ah, but common sense and passion don't always mix.
It took Petty a long time to fall in love with driving. Now it's taking a long time to stop. There is no substitute. We can understand that.
So Godspeed, Richard Petty. Thanks for letting us see you through one more year. Tighten those belts, buckle that air-cooled helmet and bring it home in one piece. We need your tremendous character as a living example, for years to come, of what's good and decent in this world.