A Tribute to Lee Petty

A film from Nothingman. Music - Yesterday from The Beatles. Special Thanks to CrashCarnageVid, and Oval Planet Films for the clips used in this video.

Lee Arnold Petty (March 14, 1914 -- April 5, 2000) was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 60s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. Petty began his NASCAR career at NASCAR's first race at Charlotte Speedway (not Charlotte Motor Speedway). He finished in the Top 5 in season points for NASCAR's first eleven seasons. He won the NASCAR Championship on three occasions and the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.

In the first race at Daytona International Speedway, Petty battled with Johnny Beauchamp during the final laps of the race. Petty, Beauchamp and Joe Weatherly drove side by side by side across the finish line at the final lap for a photo finish. Petty drove a 1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 (#42), Beauchamp a 1959 Ford Thunderbird (#73) and Weatherly a 1959 Chevrolet (#48) all coupes. Beauchamp was declared the unofficial winner, and he drove to victory lane. Petty protested the results, saying "I had Beauchamp by a good two feet. In my own mind, I know I won." It took NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. three days to decide the winner. In the end, with the help of the national newsreel, Petty was officially declared the winner. Son Richard drove a 1957 Oldsmobile convertible (#43) and finished 57th out of 59 starters having blown the engine after eight laps.

Lee Petty died at 4:50 a.m. on April 5, 2000 at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of 86, several weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. He was buried at the Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery in Randleman, North Carolina.

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[TimBodie2412]

@ilikebigdtitis i would love to be a part of it like that. Lee is an inspiration to me, i would love to of met him but i didnt even know who he was when he died, i was real young

[ilikebigdtitis]

@TimBodie2412 That is very cool for you to recognize the true legends of the sport. I have always heard many great things about him, because I have grown up my whole life being told about him on a personal level. My father was told by my grandfather who grew up with him, they were first cousins. I feel proud to have the honor of being a member of the family bloodline.

[Shanco4688]

ONE OF THE BEST EVER!!

[CrashCarnageVid]

A true legend of the sport.  Very deserving tribute.

[TimBodie2412]

thank you for making this. Lee Petty is my idol, i had made a tribute to him myself.

Lee Petty always a legend.

[29nascar24]

Lee Petty: One of the greatest drivers to ever drive in NASCAR.

R.I.P.

[kensethmartinfan]

Ooh, a NASCAR related video with The Beatles' music! I've honestly never seen that before!

By the way, footage is in excellent quality. Good job.

[govtracy]

R.I.P. lee petty

one of the legends of nascar.

RIP lee petty and adam

[Tiaguinhow3]

2:00 the classic picture of NASCAR, one of the bests finish!!

2:33 true family of nascar.

[TARARADER]

RIP Lee, The first true star of Nascar.