Nine Years Ago

The four generations of Pettys - Lee, Richard, Kyle and Adam


Adam Petty, the first fourth generation NASCAR driver, was killed while practicing his Busch Series car at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH nine years ago today. His throttle stuck going into a corner and sent him hard into the wall. This was before SAFER barriers were invented and adopted by the tracks on NASCAR's schedule. His and fellow driver Kenny Irwin Jr.'s death at the same track led to the addition of a "dead man switch" on the steering wheels of the race cars so if a throttle stuck, the car could be shut off quickly.

Kyle and Patty Petty, Adam's parents, teamed with Paul Newman and the Hole in the Wall Camp to start The Victory Junction Gang Camp - which has grown since then with support from Tony Stewart and other NASCAR drivers and owners. Adam had wanted to start a children's camp, so his parents continued his dream.

Kyle never has been the same since his son's death. It seems to me most of his racing appearances have been more about promoting his son's causes than actual racing. He took over his son's number 45 and if he races in New Hampshire - it is in a black car as a tribute to his son.

I've mentioned before how one of my friends was a sports editor in Texas, and he got us media credentials for the NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway (back when there was only one race held there, in the spring). So, I had the opportunity to see Adam up close one day. One of the "grand poo-bahs" of the NASCAR print media had asked for an interview with young Adam in the media center. Adam came to him, dressed in a white t-shirt and blue jeans - all neat as a pin. Of course, I recognized him and listened in a bit, but mostly I remember my impressions of the eventual heir to the Petty racing throne. He looked more like his grandfather Richard than his daddy - the high cheekbones, the narrow jaw, the intense eyes and his height. He had long arms and legs, and large hands. He was extremely polite and soft spoken - giving thoughtful answers and showing respect to the sports writer. But what he really shared with his grandpa was the huge toothy smile that lit up his face. He looked for all the world to be a gangly teenager, but his movements were lithe and coordinated. He was at home in that world, confident in his membership.

The world truly suffered a great loss when Adam lost his life.