Car FYI

Kay Petre behind the wheel of one of the many race cars she drove between 1932 to 1939. (Photo Credit: Newspress) Even as motorsports have resided as a male-dominated domain since its inception in the early 20th century, the majestic scene of an automobile in motion refreshingly won the attention of some women. When it comes to the history of women in auto racing, it’s intriguing to realize how a Canadian-born driver became one of the sport’s earliest female stars.  Born in 1903 in what is now part of Toronto, Ontario, Kathleen Coad DeFries spent her young life in both Canada and England. She would be popularly recognized as Kay Petre after her 1929 marriage to her second husband Henry Petre, a decorated First World War aviator and pioneer pilot who remained an active enthusiast for airplanes and other machines throughout his life. It was Henry who introduced her to the spectacle of auto racing with Kay’s affection for the sport quickly resulting to her getting behind the wheel. Co...

  Earl Ross #52 Chevrolet on pit road during the 1974 Delaware 500 NASCAR Cup race held at Dover International Speedway.  “I still can’t believe it. I just don’t believe it.” On September 29th of 1974, those words were heard by the late Ken Squier as a response to a massive, historical triumph by a Canadian at the conclusion of an NASCAR Cup Series race in Martinsville, Virginia. With Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag part of a historic triumph the Prince Edward Island-born driver rooted in Ailsa Craig, Ontario Earl Ross drove a #52 white and red car across the finish line first at the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway.  While every NASCAR Cup Series season boast traits and events defining it against others, the 1974 season for the stock car division involved a number of unusual occurrences. Due to the lingering effects of the 1973 oil crisis, the first 15 races ran shorter than advertised distances including the Daytona 500 that completed 450 miles with the race starting ...

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 ...