By Don Coble | Morris News Service
Thursday, August 17, 2006
BROOKLYN, Mich. - While it can never be proved, Richard Petty has probably signed more autographs than anyone else in the world.
The Guinness Book of World Records doesn't list autographs in its more than 40,000 entries, but Petty's ability to sign his name is legendary beyond the world of NASCAR. For more than 50 years, he's stood at the back gate signing everything from photographs to cans of oil treatment. Now 14 years into retirement, he still spends one day a week at his race shop in Randleman, N.C., signing his name.
"Nobody has signed more autographs than Richard Petty," Bobby Labonte said. "Not even Elvis."
Autographs are a big part of NASCAR's appeal. Drivers are exposed to the general public in ways baseball, basketball and football would resist.
Not only do some fans have access to the garage area, others can wait near the motor home lot to catch their favorite driver walking to and from work. And if that's not enough, every driver has an extensive list of public appearances.
NASCAR has an unwritten rule that prohibits autographs in the garage area, which is supposed to be a race team's sanctuary. But every driver, plus NASCAR president Mike Helton, carries a pen.
In a normal day, a driver might sign as many as 500 autographs at the racetrack. Away from the track, that number swells.
For Petty, it's estimated he's signed his name more than one million times during his career and into retirement.
"You lose track," Greg Biffle said.
Rookie Reed Sorenson said a woman asked him to sign her pregnant stomach. Kyle Petty said he once signed a hairless dog. Just about everyone has signed their name on a body part, only to have it turned into a tattoo.
"I ran across a man who had a tattoo of me crashing my Sprint car on his arm," J.J. Yeley said. "He had me sign under the crash, then he ran out and had that tattooed, too."
The most revered autograph in racing comes from Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He also offers two different signatures, depending on his mood - one with a cursive capital "D," the other with a capital "D" that looks like an arrowhead. Regardless, he's shortened the process by simply signing, "Dale Jr."
There is nothing short and simple about Richard Petty's autograph. Each autograph is completed with meticulous attention to detail, each completed with unparalleled appreciation.
One at a time, a million times over.
Reach Don Coble at
don.coble@morris.com.
From the Thursday, August 17, 2006 edition of the Augusta Chronicle
Petty is still the king of signing autographs
I'll bet that baby could really move!!!
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