Lynda Petty, the wife of seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, passed away on March 25, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. She was 72 years old. Lynda Petty was diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that affects the brain and spinal cord, in 2010. She underwent treatments at Duke University Medical Center, but the disease proved to be incurable.
A Supportive Spouse and a Loving Mother
Lynda Petty married Richard Petty in 1959, when she was only 17 years old. She played an instrumental role in her husband’s early racing career, supporting him financially and emotionally. She also took care of their four children, Kyle, Sharon, Lisa, and Rebecca, while Richard was on the road. Lynda Petty would feed the kids and the pit crew from the back of a 1960 Chrysler sedan parked in the infield, according to Richard Petty, who holds the Sprint Cup record with 200 victories. He said that Lynda Petty was happy to be with him anywhere he went, even though she was not a fan of racing.
Lynda Petty was also involved in various charitable and community activities. She was one of the founders of the Racing Wives Auxiliary, a group that provides assistance to injured drivers and their families. She also served on the boards of the Randolph County School System and the Petty Museum. She was a devout Christian and a member of the Level Cross United Methodist Church.
A Tribute from the NASCAR Family
Lynda Petty’s death was mourned by the NASCAR community, who paid tribute to her legacy and her contributions to the sport. NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said in a statement: “On behalf of the France family and everyone at NASCAR, I want to offer sincere condolences to the Petty family regarding the loss of their beloved matriarch, Lynda Petty. Through the years, Lynda became an integral part of the NASCAR landscape. We have lost a true friend, who will be missed each and every day. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Pettys throughout this difficult time.”
Many drivers, teams, and fans also expressed their sympathy and respect for Lynda Petty on social media. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Danica Patrick were among the stars who posted messages of condolence. Kyle Petty, who is a TV analyst and a six-time winner in Cup, thanked everyone for their support and said that his mother was “an incredible woman”.
Lynda Petty is survived by her husband Richard, her four children, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Petty Family Cemetery in Level Cross, North Carolina.
