Faction46, a first-year team competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will honor both Bobby Hamilton and Petty Enterprises in next month’s event at Darlington Raceway, as part of NASCAR’s annual Throwback Weekend.
Thad Moffitt, grandson of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty, will pilot the silver No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado during Throwback Weekend, a scheme that resembles the STP 25th Anniversary vehicle that Bobby Hamilton debuted in 1996 while driving for Petty Enterprises.
Friday’s unveiling continues a season-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Petty family competing in NASCAR.
“This is a really special scheme and one that I’m proud to race and represent the history and the legacy of Bobby Hamilton with my family, said Moffitt. “After my grandfather [Richard Petty], it was Bobby [Hamilton] who took the STP No. 43 back to Victory Lane in 1996. That was a celebration of STP’s 25 years with Petty Enterprises, and it ties in perfectly with the Petty 75th Anniversary. It is really cool that we can do this, and I want to thank everyone for allowing us to celebrate this occasion. It is going to bring back a lot of memories for a lot of NASCAR fans.”
Hamilton won twice in the No. 43 STP entry for Petty Enterprises, and would eventually become a legend in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he scored 10 victories and a series championship. Hamilton became family to the Petty’s and will now be celebrated again by Faction46.
“We are proud to carry the same colors that Bobby Hamilton raced with the Petty family and help celebrate the Petty 75th Anniversary,” said Faction46 Owner, Lane Moore. “It was Bobby who made the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series as great as it is today. We all know he was a great guy, an unbelievable driver, but he was one of the drivers who built and grew the truck series and its popularity. We are looking forward to seeing this great scheme on the track and pay tribute to Bobby and the Petty 75th Anniversary.”
Fans will have the opportunity to pre-order the No. 46 Petty 75th Anniversary Chevrolet Silverado as a diecast, via the DailyDownforce website. Additionally, those interested can purchase other forms of merchandise including an exclusive shirt, a signed hero card, plus will even the opportunity to have your name on the decklid of the truck during the throwback weekend.
“We really wanted to make sure that this truck could be offered as a diecast and also give fans so much more to be a part of NASCAR’s Throwback weekend,” said Moffitt. “It’s a special part of history and it’s the perfect way for Faction46 to debut its first diecast to all our fans and allows them to get a complete package of one-of-a-kind memorabilia.”
In the opening six NASCAR Truck Series events of 2024, Moffitt and Faction46 currently sit 29th place in series point standings, having scored a season-high finish of 25th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Moffitt is carrying the colors of Safety-Kleen on his No. 46 machine this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.
