HAMPTON — With a literal tip of the hat, Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR facilities around the country are recognizing the Petty family’s 75th year in racing this season.
Starting at Daytona International Speedway and continuing with the following Ambetter Health 400 weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 28 one-of-a-kind art installations featuring the likeness of Richard Petty’s iconic cowboy hat are being unveiled.
The 6-foot tall, 1,000-pound fiberglass and concrete statues will become permanent displays at all NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports owned tracks, as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway, Pocono Raceway, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Legacy Motor Club and the Petty Museum.
Each location will have a uniquely personalized tribute to the Petty family.
At AMS “The King’s Hat” will wear the colors of the car Richard Petty piloted in his final NASCAR start at the Georgia speedway in the 1992 season finale.
“It’s always special to be recognized and this does take it to the very top,” said Richard Petty. “This is really for the fans to enjoy something unique to our family, our history, and our contributions to the tracks and NASCAR. It took a lot of people, time, and effort to make this happen and our family is honored by that.”
The hats are hand-crafted by TivoliToo, Inc., the same company that designed and built the Charles Schulz Peanuts character tribute in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.
Brother and sister duo, Randi and Hart Johnson, have personally worked with each track to bring the creative vision to life.
“My dad’s cowboy hat is iconic and is a part of who Richard Petty is,” said Kyle Petty. “If you see that hat, you know it’s Richard Petty. It’s been his signature look for as long as any race fan can remember. This is a great way to celebrate our family’s heritage and a…
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