FONTANA, California -- California Speedway announced today that seven-time NASCAR Champion Richard Petty will serve as Honorary Grand Marshal for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 on September 5.
"We are thrilled that such a prominent NASCAR figure will serve as Grand Marshal during our Inaugural Pop Secret 500 event," California Speedway President Bill Miller said. "Richard Petty's name is synonymous with NASCAR racing. His presence as the Grand Marshal elevates the magnitude of this Inaugural event at California Speedway."
Petty's NASCAR career spans over three decades and he holds all-time records for most career wins (200), poles (127), wins in a season (27 in 1967), consecutive wins (10 in 1967) and starts (1,185). Petty, 67, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997. He has also been named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
Warmly referred to as "The King," Petty is one of the most dominant NASCAR drivers to ever compete in California. He won five races at Riverside International Raceway, his first coming 35 years ago in 1969 (other wins came in 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1977).
Petty rolled off fourth in the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside. He spun off the track twice, although he still led 103 laps - more than anyone else in the 44-car field. Other drivers who led during the race included A.J. Foyt, LeeRoy Yarbrough, Mario Andretti and Cale Yarborough. After several drivers fell out with mechanical woes, and with no full-course caution to slow the action, Petty set a track record, averaging 105.498 mph.
The Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 joins the Target House 300 NASCAR Busch Series race Labor Day weekend. Tickets for Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series practice are $40 and $50. Sunday's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pop Secret 500 tickets are $65 and $105. For ticket and event information call 800-944-RACE (7223) or visit the speedway's website at www.californiaspeedway.com.
