Richmond Raceway announced today that American icon, NASCAR Hall of Famer, Seven-Time Cup Series Champion and the winningest driver in NASCAR history “The King” Richard Petty will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Clean Harbors 250 on Saturday, Aug. 10. Amid the Petty Family’s 75th year in NASCAR, Petty will say the most famous words in motorsports prior to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Finale.

“An event as significant as this deserves to have one of the most prominent figures in sports history give the command to start engines,” said Richmond Raceway President Lori Collier Waran. “We’re thrilled and honored to have “The King” Richard Petty serve as the Grand Marshal for the Clean Harbors 250 in what should be an electrifying race under the lights.”

As the most successful driver the sport has ever seen, Petty’s legendary 35-year career sets the standard for greatness across all motorsports. The Level Cross, N.C. native has the most NASCAR Cup Series wins (200), most poles (123), most wins in a season (27), most Daytona 500 wins (seven), most consecutive wins (10), most starts (1,185), and tied for the most championships with Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson (seven).

Petty’s astounding accomplishments led him to be inducted into the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 and named as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. Additionally, he has been elected to the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, International Motorsports Hall of Fame, North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and serves as Chairman of the North Carolina Motorsports Association.

The Petty legacy will be well-represented on-track in Saturday’s Clean Harbors 250, with Richard Petty’s grandson Thad Moffitt driving the No. 46 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST.

“The King” highlighting pre-race ceremonies is just part of the excitement fans can witness in the Clean Harbors 250 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 10. At 7:30 p.m. ET. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers will have one last chance to clinch a playoff berth before 10 drivers move on to battle for a championship. Then Sunday, Aug. 11, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will compete for a playoff berth in the Cook Out 400 at 6 p.m. ET.

“Clean Harbors and the Petty family have maintained a successful partnership for decades and we couldn’t pick a better person to start the race than ‘The King’ himself!” said Clean Harbors Marketing Director Buddy Judy. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in Richmond for what’s sure to be a memorable event this summer.”

— Richmond Raceway —