Richard Petty, a highly accomplished race car driver in the history of motorsport, recently shared his fondness for the Dodge Charger he drove from 1973 to 1978. Petty, with 200 wins in the Cup and seven championships, had an unprecedented dominance in the sport. Throughout his career spanning over three decades, he competed with various generations of NASCAR race cars. However, Petty particularly emphasized the excellence of the Dodge Charger during his time.
Petty highlighted that the Dodge Charger he drove from 1973 to 1978 was the most impressive car he had ever experienced. Remarkably, this car was built before wind tunnel testing became a standard practice in the sport. During this era, Petty won two championships and finished second twice. He won an impressive 36 races and consistently stood out among the top five finishers every week. However, due to the car’s poor performance, Petty made a mid-week switch to Chevy, ending his iconic partnership.
Petty also mentioned that the Dodge Charger was a highly sensitive vehicle, easily transitioning from heavy steering to loose steering. Its versatility on all types of tracks made it a pleasure to drive for all involved. Undoubtedly, Petty valued the car as it contributed to some of his best years in the championship. The Dodges proved highly productive for him and suited his driving style. If Petty had won the championship in 1976 and 1977, where he finished second, he could have been the greatest of all time in NASCAR.
