The Petty family’s rich NASCAR legacy is defined not only by their impressive racing achievements but also by the values they hold. As multiple generations of the family have dedicated themselves to the sport, celebrations at home have been a rarity. That being said, Christmas is one occasion that none of them would miss.
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On the Petty Family Racing channel on YouTube, Richard Petty recently shared that Christmas has long been a cornerstone of celebration for the family. The festive season took on added significance when the Petty drivers were active in racing. Richard explained,
“Christmas was a big deal for the Petty family. We didn’t celebrate birthdays or anniversaries stuff like that. So, just being it was Christmas it was just so special.
“We look forward to it all the time. So, I don’t know if any of them was any special than the rest of them. I guess we celebrated Christmas the same way we do now.”
Further elaborating on the same, Petty added,
“The family would get together like, to begin with basically we get together Christmas Eve and then it got to be so many of us. We started coming in maybe a week early and having Christmas so that everybody could go back and be with the rest of their family.”
Moreover, during Christmas, Richard’s son Kyle and his philanthropic venture, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, took a moment to honor the memory and generous spirit of his late son, Adam. They accentuated Adam’s contributions and the Victory Junction organization, a haven for children grappling with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses.
The charity shared a touching photo of Adam Petty seated with two children facing medical challenges, alongside a heartfelt message: “The holidays are a time for giving, which always makes us think of Adam and his giving heart. Today and every day, we are proud to continue his legacy!”
The holidays are a time for giving, which always makes us think of Adam and his giving heart. ❤ Today and every day, we are proud to continue his legacy! pic.twitter.com/ssZqYPJ9Lx
— KylePettyCharityRide (@KPCharityRide) December 23, 2024
Besides, the Petty Family Foundation used to embark on their ‘Operation Appalachian Christmas’ initiative, taking a fleet of planes loaded with toys for local children and essential supplies for families to Blountville.
Petty delved into the familial dynamics of their festive gatherings
When queried about whether the gift-giving at their large family Christmas gatherings ever turned competitive, Petty revealed that no one tries to outdo the others. He explained,
“We really got so many people the big people started drawing names because I think it’s what 30-32 kids now. So time to mess around and buy something for everybody didn’t have enough money left to buy anything for big people.”
He also recounted a memorable Christmas gift from the past, a much-anticipated electric train. He shared that this gift was particularly special because they didn’t have any electricity then. So, once they got electricity to the house, Santa Claus decided “it was time to bring an electric train,” according to Richard.
Meanwhile, Kyle received what he called the ‘coolest present ever’ for Christmas — a vintage NASCAR jacket from his wife.
These stories indeed show that the true spirit of Christmas goes beyond the gifts. It’s about creating lasting memories together.
