NASCAR Legend Richard Petty Rides Air Force One with Trump, Steals the Show at NC Rally

So, picture this: NASCAR’s ‘The King’ Richard Petty, a true legend with 200 wins under his belt, hops on Air Force One with President Donald Trump. They’re heading to a campaign rally in Greenville, North Carolina, where Trump is backing Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley. Petty, who’s no stranger to teaming up with Trump, got off the plane with the president and was soon called onstage. Trump couldn’t contain his excitement, telling the crowd, ‘We have a legend here. The great Richard Petty. The King.’ Once up there, Petty, ever the racer, used a clever analogy. He compared Trump to the best driver ever and said the key is picking the right pit crew – meaning the people involved in the race. ‘If we can do that, he’s a winner, the pit crew’s a winner, we’re all winners,’ he told the cheering crowd. Trump loved it, calling the analogy ‘pretty cool’ and thanking Petty for his support. This isn’t their first rodeo; Petty has spoken at Trump rallies before and been spotted at NASCAR events with the president. The 89-year-old racing icon, who still lives in Randleman, NC, even tried his hand at politics back in 1996, running for secretary of state. But today, he’s all about pumping up the crowd for Trump and Whatley, showing that some partnerships just work, on and off the track.