Canada’s Role in the Emergence of NASCAR Royalty

Photo Credit: Pattie Petty/NASCAR

When it comes to stock car racing or even auto racing in general, the name Richard Petty ranks alongside the legendary stars of any major sport. The son of early stock car racing icon Lee Petty, Richard’s accolades behind the wheel are marks drivers today struggle to beat. Amassing 200 victories in the NASCAR Grand National/Cup Series including seven championships, Petty would retire from driving in 1992 with the lofty nickname of “The King”. Although his on-track feats would be enough to earn the moniker, professionalism and business sense reflected by a long-term partnership with automotive additive company STP combined with a fan-friendly personality has made Richard Petty a figure that continues to resonate among the motorsport community. Before all the victories and championships, a 1/3-mile oval on Toronto’s Exhibition Place was the site where everything started. 

Richard Petty was born the son of Lee Petty who achieved three championships in the NASCAR Cup Series (known as the Grand National division from 1950 until 1971) and 54 race wins. During the time the elder Petty established himself as an early superstar in stock car racing, Richard’s desire to take the wheel in competition enticed him to ask if he could race at the age of 18. Lee Petty’s response to his son was to wait until he’s 21 years old. Although some parents might respond in this fashion hoping their child will forget or move on from their request, this was an occasion where father was acting in earnest. Turning 21 on July 2nd of 1958, Richard asked and was granted his wish.

In some records, Richard Petty’s debut is cited as his NASCAR debut at Columbia Speedway in Columbia, South Carolina on July 12th of 1958. This event was part of NASCAR’s Convertible Division that operated as a national tour from 1956 to 1960. Stock car King Richard would win a convertible race in 1959 pressing his NASCAR win total to 201. Driving a 1957 Oldsmobile his father’s number 42, the first race ended with a sixth place finish. 

For the 1958 NASCAR Grand National season, the sanctioning body introduced a cost-savings move allowing vehicles of the convertible series to compete in the big league races by installing a removable hardtop. Richard Petty arrived with Lee Petty in Toronto to race a 100-lap show on the paved CNE Speedway oval running number 142. 

Exhibition Place during the first half of the 20th century was a popular entertainment grounds in Toronto used most notably for the annual Canadian National Exhibition. In 1952, the land provided increased amusement with the construction of a 1/3-mile paved oval. CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) Speedway regularly held stock car events. Several NASCAR events were welcomed at the track including a race for the Grand National series in 1958. 

Starting seventh in the 19-car field at CNE Speedway, the #142 Oldsmobile could complete only 55 of the 100 laps in his Grand National/Cup Series debut. Richard Petty’s race ended in a crash after being spun and hitting the track retaining barrier. Reportedly, it was race winner and his father Lee who tapped his son into the accident. Richard took home $115 for a 17th place result.

Marker identifying the home plate location for CNE Stadium currently appearing on the Toronto Exhibition Place grounds

Richard Petty’s racing career would obviously preserver following a less-than stellar first NASCAR Cup Series race, CNE Speedway’s presence began to decline shortly after the NASCAR Grand National race. The next year, the oval was reconfigured into a 1/4-mile track as the venue was transformed into the home of the Canadian Football League (CFL) Toronto Argonauts. Regular auto racing would continue within the CNE Stadium until 1966. Also being the first home for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, CNE Stadium would be removed from the landscape of Exhibition Place. BMO Field covers part of the site while a marker for the baseball diamond’s first base can also be found.

Last year marked the 75th anniversary for to historic stock car racing event days before the Honda Indy Toronto where the NASCAR Pinty’s Series competed in the street course.