He’s a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of 200 NASCAR Cup Series races, and the co-owner of the Richard Petty Motorsports team in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Now, Richard Petty is doing his best to rid us of COVID-19, the virus that has caused a worldwide pandemic over the last year.
On Wednesday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared a video to their YouTube channel of The King receiving his COVID-19 vaccine.
In the video, Petty, 83, explains that he got the vaccine at the recommendation of his doctor. And it was the fact that the shot would help protect more than just himself that led to him pulling the trigger on getting vaccinated.
“Talked to my doctor, and he said he would highly recommend that I go ahead and get a shot,” Petty explained. “It didn’t only help me, it helps my family around me and all the people I associate with, so you’re not only helping yourself, you’re helping your neighbors also.”
Petty admits that even he was hesitant at first to take the vaccine, an issue many Americans are facing, but that he felt totally comfortable after looking what has happened with those who received the shot before him.
“Well, you know, I might’ve been a little bit hesitant to begin with, but after looking at all the statistics and I don’t see anything after you take the shot,” Petty said. “Everybody seems to get along with it pretty good, so you have a spot, take your shot.”
Petty’s team Richard Petty Motorsports has a new driver for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season in Erik Jones.
Jones, 24, came from the Joe Gibbs Racing organization in the offseason. This past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jones scored his first top-10 finish with the organization.