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Tracking Adam Petty's career

"It is difficult to express our sadness over the passing of Adam Petty. On behalf of the entire NASCAR family, we extend our hearts and prayers to his parents Kyle and Pattie, his grandparents Richard and Lynda and the entire Petty family. The Pettys are an integral part of the sport of NASCAR. The entire NASCAR community will miss Adam Petty." --Official statement from NASCAR President Bill France on Petty's death.

"It is a real blow to hear this news. Adam and I came into this sport at roughly the same time, so I looked at him almost like a classmate. We shared a lot of interests and we shared a lot of laughs -- he was always smiling and easy going. "It is a tremendous loss for everyone associated with NASCAR racing. I can't express how much sorrow I feel for the Petty family, but I know they are strong and will pull through this tragedy. I want to send my deepest sympathies to the Petty family -- they have done so much for everyone in this sport." -- Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Biographical information

  • Born: July 10, 1980 in High Point, N.C.

  • Began racing go-karts at age 6.

  • Sports' only fourth generation athlete, member of the Petty legacy. Great-grandson of Lee Petty; grandson of Richard Petty; son of Kyle Petty.

  • Made NASCAR debut in 1997 in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. He ran 25 races.

  • Oct. 17, 1998: Adam made his first NASCAR Busch Series start at Gateway International Raceway -- finishing 27th.

  • First full schedule in the NASCAR Busch Series schedule came in 1999.

  • Starts: 29

  • Top 5s: 3

  • Top 10s: 4

  • Best finish: Fourth (California Speedway, Auto Club 300)

  • Final points position: 20th

  • Started two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 1999: Richmond International Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

2000 NASCAR Busch Series recap

  • Starts: 11

  • Best finish: 12th (Talladega Superspeedway)

  • Points position: 24th

  • Made his first appearance on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit at Texas Motor Speedway on April 2, 2000. He started 33rd and finished in 40th position.

  • Other motorsports experience include: American Speed Association (ASA) and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).