I met the King - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kcsa75 · 10-18-2012, 08:51 PM

I got to live out a childhood dream today. I attended a volunteer event at a local foodbank today and Richard Petty was there. I'm not much of a NASCAR fan anymore, but when I was a kid I thought Richard Petty walked on water!
What a great guy! He was there a couple hours, posing for pix, signing autograph and talking to whoever wanted to talk and for as long they wanted to talk.
But what was really cool was the way he pitched in and helped repack food boxes. Most of the other dignitaries worked the line for a few minutes then moved on. He left for a few minutes to do an interview, but came back to the line and stayed until we were done.

(Pay no attention to the fat guy with the dumb look on his face).

Andy4639 · 10-18-2012, 08:56 PM

Cool.
I meet him years ago in Charlotte very nice person.

ole dollor · 10-18-2012, 08:58 PM

now that's KOOOL

**Daddy Brim** · 10-18-2012, 09:26 PM

That is way cool. My grandfather was friends with his father. I was told we would go over to his house for dinner, but I was only 3 yrs old. I would love to meet him now.

**72 Super** · 10-18-2012, 09:28 PM

that is very cool!!

**Stocker** · 10-18-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcsa75

He was there a couple hours, posing for pix, signing autograph and talking to whoever wanted to talk and for as long they wanted to talk.

That's exactly why he was so very popular as a driver (never mind all the wins & championships). He always put the fans first, and never forgot who really paid the bills. I don't get all gaga over celebrities, but King Richard is one of a handful that I respect and would appreciate meeting.

weever82 · 10-18-2012, 09:54 PM

Thats cool. Sounds like a real stand up guy. Hard to find these days.

Weev-

**leddzepp** · 10-18-2012, 10:03 PM

My wife used to book a lot of events for his Driving Experience when she lived in Vegas. I have a pic of her alongside him (just like yours, lol) somewhere...He is a very nice man and anyone would enjoy meeting him.
Posted via Mobile Device

67_C-30 · 10-18-2012, 10:27 PM

I met him when I was a kid in '83 at Atlanta, and he very nice to my brother and I. We got to meet him in the pits on qualifying, and he was actually talking to one of his crew members. We were behind the fence yelling his name, pretty much interrupting his conversation, and he walked over to us smiling and signed autographs fotr us. We were boldly yelling his name with his head turned, but neither could hardly get a word out when he was face to face with us -lol I remember jumping up and down and screaming until I was hoarse when he won #200 the next year at Daytona. I used to love NASCAR, but I don't even follow it anymore. They have totally ruined the sport, IMO.

CParnell · 10-18-2012, 10:35 PM

Too cool man. Like you I'm not much of a NASCAR fan anymore, but I liked it back when they were real cars and I was a huge fan of the King.

67_C-30 · 10-18-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

That's exactly why he was so very popular as a driver (never mind all the wins & championships). He always put the fans first, and never forgot who really paid the bills. I don't get all gaga over celebrities, but King Richard is one of a handful that I respect and would appreciate meeting.

I totally agree with this. Another one cut of the same cloth is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. About 12 years ago at a Super Chevy event in Monntgomery, he stood and talked to me for about 15 minutes like he knew me. He was asking "me" about what "I" was running in my car, and about what people in the area were primarily running in different classes, etc. He talked about the evolution of drag racing and how the availability of parts had changed. I walked away even more in awe of him.
I'm like you - I probably make a point not to get all gaga over famous people -but I just happened to bump into him and about the same time I recognized him (pretty much instantly), he was talking to me and asking me questions. He was so down to earth that I kinda lost the fact that I was talking to a true legend of motorsports. Very cool guy.

kcsa75 · 10-18-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

My wife used to book a lot of events for his Driving Experience when she lived in Vegas. I have a pic of her alongside him (just like yours, lol) somewhere...He is a very nice man and anyone would enjoy meeting him.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm sure your wife is better looking that me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I totally agree with this. Another one cut of the same cloth is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. About 12 years ago at a Super Chevy event in Monntgomery, he stood and talked to me for about 15 minutes like he knew me. He was asking "me" about what "I" was running in my car, and about what people in the area were primarily running in different classes, etc. He talked about the evolution of drag racing and how the availability of parts had changed. I walked away even more in awe of him.
I'm like you - I probably make a point not to get all gaga over famous people -but I just happened to bump into him and about the same time I recognized him (pretty much instantly), he was talking to me and asking me questions. He was so down to earth that I kinda lost the fact that I was talking to a true legend of motorsports. Very cool guy.

I had dinner with Garlits about 1995 at the Florida Sports Hall of Fame awards banquet. I was just sitting there by myself and he and his wife came and sat next to me. Very cool. Fun guy to talk with.

teeitup · 10-21-2012, 04:34 PM

Thats great Willie, I've always heard he was a good person to talk too

**fine69** · 10-21-2012, 05:22 PM

Dang. Thats cool.

I still have a Richard Petty slot car with my TYCO track.

Nascar will never again be like it was back then.

big mike71 · 10-22-2012, 06:18 PM

Hey Bill, Don't put yourself down I think you look pretty bright.

That's cool, nice of you to volunteer.

10-18-2012, 08:51 PM	#1
kcsa75 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3,590	I met the King I got to live out a childhood dream today. I attended a volunteer event at a local foodbank today and Richard Petty was there. I'm not much of a NASCAR fan anymore, but when I was a kid I thought Richard Petty walked on water! What a great guy! He was there a couple hours, posing for pix, signing autograph and talking to whoever wanted to talk and for as long they wanted to talk. But what was really cool was the way he pitched in and helped repack food boxes. Most of the other dignitaries worked the line for a few minutes then moved on. He left for a few minutes to do an interview, but came back to the line and stayed until we were done. (Pay no attention to the fat guy with the dumb look on his face). Attached Images __________________ Willie Swamp Angel Truckers '72 C10 Highlander *People who blindly follow a GPS end up on television programs on The Weather Channel. Some survive, some don't.* Last edited by kcsa75; 10-18-2012 at 08:59 PM.

10-18-2012, 08:58 PM	#3
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: I met the King! now that's KOOOL

10-18-2012, 09:26 PM	#4
Daddy Brim Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 632	Re: I met the King That is way cool. My grandfather was friends with his father. I was told we would go over to his house for dinner, but I was only 3 yrs old. I would love to meet him now. __________________ I'm sorry I called you stupid. I thought you knew already. 67 C-20 Custom Camper 68 Nova 396 it does wheelies 2005 Buick Century the one the wife drives 1989 Toyota Tercel to drive when I can't put gas in the first 2.

10-18-2012, 09:28 PM	#5
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,682	Re: I met the King that is very cool!! __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

10-18-2012, 09:54 PM	#7
weever82 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 551	Re: I met the King Thats cool. Sounds like a real stand up guy. Hard to find these days. Weev- __________________ Weev- Life's tough...... It's even tougher when your stupid - John Wayne

10-18-2012, 08:56 PM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: I met the King! Cool. I meet him years ago in Charlotte very nice person. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

10-18-2012, 10:03 PM	#8
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,995	Re: I met the King My wife used to book a lot of events for his Driving Experience when she lived in Vegas. I have a pic of her alongside him (just like yours, lol) somewhere...He is a very nice man and anyone would enjoy meeting him. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

10-18-2012, 10:27 PM	#9
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: I met the King I met him when I was a kid in '83 at Atlanta, and he very nice to my brother and I. We got to meet him in the pits on qualifying, and he was actually talking to one of his crew members. We were behind the fence yelling his name, pretty much interrupting his conversation, and he walked over to us smiling and signed autographs fotr us. We were boldly yelling his name with his head turned, but neither could hardly get a word out when he was face to face with us -lol I remember jumping up and down and screaming until I was hoarse when he won #200 the next year at Daytona. I used to love NASCAR, but I don't even follow it anymore. They have totally ruined the sport, IMO. __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

10-18-2012, 10:35 PM	#10
CParnell Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 156	Re: I met the King Too cool man. Like you I'm not much of a NASCAR fan anymore, but I liked it back when they were real cars and I was a huge fan of the King. __________________ 1968 GMC 910 Project Tommy 1974 Olds Cutlass

10-21-2012, 04:34 PM	#13
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	Re: I met the King Thats great Willie, I've always heard he was a good person to talk too __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

10-21-2012, 05:22 PM	#14
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: I met the King Dang. Thats cool. I still have a Richard Petty slot car with my TYCO track. Nascar will never again be like it was back then. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

10-22-2012, 06:18 PM	#15
big mike71 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: independence mo Posts: 2,111	Re: I met the King Hey Bill, Don't put yourself down I think you look pretty bright. That's cool, nice of you to volunteer. __________________ I'm not as good as I once was, But I'm as good once as I ever was.



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