King Richard I: The Autobiography of America's Greatest Auto Racer

I read this book to learn the history of Number 42, used in NASCAR by Marty Robbins during the 1970s, because I am writing Marty's biography. I knew the number originated with Lee Petty, Richard's father, and that Marty returned it to the Pettys and took a new number in 1979, so Kyle Petty could have 42. So I was surprised to find no mention of Marty in the book. Richard calls it "the number that someday would become one of the most famous in NASCAR history," but doesn't credit Marty for his help in that achievement. When Richard talks about Kyle wanting to race, he says, "we can bring Daddy's Number 42 out of retirement. He'd like Kyle usin' it." He doesn't acknowledge that Marty Robbins was using it at the time and had been doing so for eight years. Concerning the book itself, I enjoyed the chatty tone and was extremely impressed with Richard's history. He definitely earned his place in NASCAR! He worked hard and deserves the credit he has received. I like his work ethic and his attitude. Towards the end, the book turned from a story to a soapbox, but other than that, I highly recommend this book for the racing perspective it provides.

A friend bought me a copy of this book and caused me to lose the better part of a day's sleep because I didn't want to put it down. It's not only a biography of one of America's icons, but a glimpse into an America that has been bulldozed under, leaving us all poorer. Richard's stories, even those about his childhood and his stint as poppa Lee's crewchief absolutely make the book, but the racing memories are fantastic also.

IF YOU'RE A NASCAR FAN OR BETTER YET A RICHARD PETTY FAN, THIS IS A MUST-READ BOOK. IT CONTAINS MOST OF THE HISTORY OF THIS NASCAR LEGEND. IT'S CONTENTS LEADS YOU THROUGH HIS CHILDHOOD ON INTO HIS ADULT RACING LIFE. HE SHARES HIS FAMILY AND RACING ASPIRATIONS WITH US AND LEAVES YOU WANTING FOR MORE. THIS BOOK OFFERS YOU HUMOR AND HEARTFELT EMOTIONS THAT ENTICE YOU TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH HIM IN HIS EXCITING CAREER OF BECOMING A LEGEND IN NASCAR RACING.