The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is an American institution. While NASCAR has struggled in recent years over issues such as lack of diversity among drivers and owners, its historic affinity for the Confederate flag and its weighty carbon footprint, it is still a wildly popular spectator sport, bringing in over $500 million in annual revenue. After a two-year dip in viewership, in 2022, NASCAR's marquee event, the Daytona 500, saw its audience nearly double to close to 8.9 million-though still down from its historic highs in the early 2000s like 2006's almost 19.4 million viewers. And among NASCAR drivers, Kyle Petty is known as "royalty." A third-generation driver, son of NASCAR's winning-est driver ever, Kyle won his first stock-car race at the record-breaking age of 18, only to be bested by his own son Adam 19 years later. Less than two years later, Adam died in a tragic training accident. In his memoir, SWERVE OR DIE (St. Martin's Press, August), Kyle shares his experiences on and off the track as a driver, CEO of successful Petty Enterprises, sports announcer and as a father-and talks about the past and future of NASCAR. The following excerpt lays bare when Kyle first heard about Adam's accident.
I WAS IN ENGLAND WITH MY daughter Montgomery Lee, looking at Welsh horses.
My son Adam was at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway with his red-and-black No. 45 Sprint PCS Chevrolet. His regular guys were at the track with him. A rising young racer and his crew, all good friends, doing exactly what they wanted to be doing with their lives. The Busch 200 was set for Saturday. Friday was for practice and qualifying. All of which just gave me another reason to smile.
Denne historien er fra August 12, 2022-utgaven av Newsweek.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 12, 2022-utgaven av Newsweek.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PARTING SHOT: Sarah Paulson
\"CAN YOU IMAGINE IF THE AIR WAS JUST FILLED WITH DUST PARTICLES and you literally could not breathe?\" That's what Sarah Paulson is tackling in her new film Hold Your Breath (October 3).
MUSIC: 'Our Country Is in Need of "We Are Family""
Putting family controversy behind her, Sister Sledge's Kathy talks moving on, new music and the 2024 election
ARCHAEOLOGY: The 'Last' Neanderthal
Analysis of the remains of one our closest extinct relatives has challenged existing knowledge of Homo neanderthalensis
AMERICA'S BEST NURSING HOMES 2025
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES OF AGING IS finding the right care from sources that you trust you want to know that you or your loved ones are in good hands during a new phase of life.
CLIMATE HERO OR VILLIAN?
AI COULD REVOLUTIONIZE CLEAN ENERGY, BUT ITS POWER DEMANDS ARE DRIVING UP EMISSIONS
MILITARY: Building Back Stronger
The base from where the U.S. launched its nuclear strikes to end World War II is being revived to counter the growing Asia-Pacific threat posed by China
OPINION: 'Cost of Living Forced Us To Live in Our RV'
Broke and desperate, the Garagusos gave up their dream home for a camper, but has life improved?
POLITICS: Will House Prices Decide the Election?
A new study has found that the cost of homes could sway voters when they cast their ballots
Jim Parsons
FRESH OFF HIS TONY NOMINATION FOR MOTHER PLAY, JIM PARSONS IS BACK on Broadway in Our Town. So, does he not like taking a break? \"Until [Big Bang Theory] wrapped in 2019, I did not really know what it was to take a break that was not only extended, but also uncertain.\"
'Frank's an Icon, and My Dad'
Moon Unit Zappa on navigating childhood as a rock star's daughter