Richard Petty's Primary Car Number and Its Meaning
Richard Petty's primary car number was 43, a number he used for most of his NASCAR Cup Series career. He drove the #43 for Petty Enterprises, a family-owned team that became one of the most recognizable brands in motorsports. The number is widely considered the most famous car number in NASCAR history, appearing on his Plymouth, Dodge, and Pontiac race cars across decades of competition. The number 43 became synonymous with Petty's name, appearing on merchandise, memorials, and official NASCAR records as a symbol of his dominance. Forbes details how the #43 became a cultural icon beyond racing.
Petty's use of the #43 began in the early 1960s and continued through his final race in 1992. During that span, the number was associated with 200 Cup Series victories, the most by any driver in the history of the sport. The Petty family kept the number active in various forms of motorsports after Richard's retirement, and it remains a permanent part of NASCAR's official numbering system. The #43 is often cited in discussions of the greatest car numbers in sports, alongside numbers like 99 and 24. NASCAR.com provides official race-by-race records confirming the number's usage.
Teams, Manufacturers, and Sponsors Associated with the Number
Petty Enterprises and Factory Alliances
Petty Enterprises fielded the #43 primarily with Plymouth, Dodge, and Pontiac as factory partners during different eras. The team secured manufacturer support from Chrysler, Plymouth, and General Motors, allowing Petty to campaign the #43 in high-performance stock cars. These alliances gave the #43 a technical edge in engine development, chassis design, and aerodynamic testing throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The team's shop in Level Cross, North Carolina, served as the central hub for building and maintaining the #43 race cars. NASCAR.com lists the manufacturer partnerships tied to the #43.
Key Sponsorship Arrangements
STP was the most prominent sponsor of the #43, appearing on Petty's cars for many years and becoming a defining element of the car's livery. The orange and blue STP livery on the #43 is one of the most recognizable paint schemes in racing history. Other sponsors included Petty Enterprises' own branding, along with various local and national partners who supported the team's operations. These sponsorship deals helped fund Petty's campaigns and contributed to the commercial growth of the #43 brand. Forbes covers the commercial impact of the STP partnership.
Career Achievements and Legacy of the #43
Championships and Race Wins
Richard Petty won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, all while driving the #43, tying him with other legends for the most titles in the series. His 2