Richard Petty, a highly accomplished race car driver in the history of motorsports, recently shared his fondness for the Dodge Charger he drove from 1973 to 1978. Petty, with 200 Cup race wins and seven championships, has had an unparalleled dominance in the sport. Throughout his career spanning over three decades, he raced various generations of NASCAR race cars. However, Petty particularly emphasized the excellence of the Dodge Charger during his time.
Petty highlighted that the Dodge Charger he drove from 1973 to 1978 was the most impressive car he had ever experienced. Notably, this car was built before wind-tunnel testing became a standard practice in the sport. During this era, Petty achieved two championships and finished second twice. He won an impressive 36 races and consistently performed among the top-5 racers every week. However, due to the car’s poor performance, Petty made a mid-week shift to Chevy, bringing an end to their iconic partnership.
Petty also mentioned that the Dodge Charger was a highly sensitive vehicle, easily transitioning from a dead push to a dead lose. Its versatility in all types of tracks made it a joy to drive for everyone involved. Undoubtedly, Petty cherished the car as it contributed to some of his best years in the championship. The Dodges proved to be highly productive for him and suited his driving style. If Petty had secured the championship in 1976 and 1977, where he finished second, he could have been the ultimate GOAT of NASCAR.
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