 Photo by Steve Langley |
So, what do you say when you meet a king? |
I finally got to meet “The King”.
If you’re new to stock car racing and NASCAR, you might not know who that is, but it would be surprising if you didn’t.
“The King” is Richard Petty, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ most winning driver, with 200 victories.
Mr. Petty was at the world headquarters of Valvoline in Lexington, KY, today to sign a contract of some sort.
No details were provided, but I would surmise that it had something to do with Valvoline sponsoring the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge Charger in the 2009 Daytona 500.
Afterwards, Valvoline managed to arrange a hastily-set-up meet-n-greet with Richard and Valvoline employees.
There were at least 100 employees standing in line when my co-workers and I got in line. We were told we were allowed to have Richard sign one item, and that they would take our picture with him, and send it to us.
I purchased a Valvoline hat in the company store so that I would have something for Mr. Petty to sign.
When my turn came, “The King” said, “Hello there, young man,” and shook my hand. I told him that I was glad to have a chance to finally meet him, and he thanked me for coming. I was surprised by how tall he is. I never realized it. He signed my hat, and stood over close to me for a picture, grinning that trademark smile, his head covered by the almost-always-present cowboy hat, decorated with a hatband of feathers.
And, just about as soon as it happened, it was over. I had gotten to finally meet “The King”.
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Thanks, Mr. Petty!
(author’s note: I am not a Valvoline or Ashland, Inc. permanent employee. However, I have been working for them since 2006 as a contract computer consultant supporting their mainframe HR, payroll, and benefits systems and the conversion of those systems to SAP. If you might need a mainframe programmer in a few months, let me know.)
Too cool! I’m glad you got to meet him.
I’ve had the chance to meet and talk to him a few times in the last couple of years. He is always friendly and talks to you like he knows you. He has a real presents when he walks in a room.
That will be a ‘keeper’ photo when you get it!
Not bragging….but “The King” years ago would hold open house at Petty Enterprises the weekend after the Pepsi 400 in July. It was normally a off-weekend for NASCAR. Well you know the old saying ” I used to walk knee deep in snow to school everyday” that your parents tell. Well we used to stand in 90 degree North Carolina July humidty heat for 4 hours to get our 30 seconds and picture with ” The King” …It may not mean anything to you but it was the only reason I am still a fan today.
I know what you mean, Doug. I was very thankful for the opportunity, and definately thankful not to have to stand out in the heat, or cold.
Cool Mike !!! Way ! WAY Cool !!!
I was in Daytona in 1980 and got into the pits just before the driver introductions and THE KING was walking to his car in full uniform man he was bigger then life my hero when i was growing up in ontario canada when racing was hard to follow not like today,I had my camera with me and ran out onto pit road and he was walking bye me i asked if it would be ok to get a picture he looked at me probly thinking how the heck did this kid get in here and said go head he stopped and smiled but i couldn,t understand his southern dralw and asked him again he just kep,t smilling and said yes go ahead son. Well i took my pic and he look at me and said thank you ,Man ill tell you i was so proud and happy to meet my hero tears came to my eyes. I wished him luck and thanked him back but before i left i got a crewman from another team to take my pic with the Kings car on the grid.And to my purprise the King even helpped to clear the way for a good pic. He is the Classiest person i have ever met in my life to this day and will allways be my Hero.