Nolan Pope to honor Petty in CARS Tour Throwback 276

The first throwback scheme for the CARS Tour Throwback 276 at Hickory Motor Speedway has been revealed and its a livery fit for ‘The King.’

Super Late Model driver Nolan Pope will honor the winningest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history on August 5th when he runs a design that honors Richard Petty’s 1974 STP entry.

That year Petty won 10 races in 30 starts in route to winning the Cup championship.

Nolan, a Harrisonville, Missouri native, currently sits third in the Super Late Model championship standings just twenty-one points out of the top spot.

“I chose Richard Petty for my throwback scheme because he is the King, and one of the best, if not the best, to ever drive a race car,” Pope said. “He has meant so much to the sport throughout the years, and had a major influence on getting the sport of stock car racing to where it’s at today.”

Petty made 23 Cup starts at Hickory, winning 5 different times, two of those coming when the track was on dirt. Petty won at Hickory in 1971, the final year Cup competed at the .363 mile track. For his win in 1971 Petty took home $2,200 cash.

“It means a lot to be able to run the King’s paint scheme,” Pope said. “Not every day you get the chance to run a car that’s based off an icon of the sport like Richard Petty. For me personally this is really awesome and exciting event and I can’t wait until everyone gets there and sees the car in person.

“To be able to honor guys from the past like Petty and others is a cool occasion. I can’t thank them enough for getting the sport to where it’s at today and to ASM Graphics for partnering with the CARS Tour and my team for this big event at Hickory in August.”

Warren Hamilton at ASM Graphics was responsible for bringing the design to life.

“ASM Graphics is extremely excited to be a part of the CARS Tour inaugural throwback weekend at Hickory,” Hamilton said. “We will be working with Super Late Model driver Nolan Pope to honor the “King” of stock car racing, Richard Petty by running the paint scheme that he made famous through most of his career.”

The inaugural CARS Tour Throwback 276 presented by the Hickory Soup Kitchen will take place on August 5th and will feature twin races for Super Lates and Late Model Stock Cars.

SPECS

Throwback Driver: #43 Richard “The King” Petty

Car Make: Dodge Charger

Stat History: 200 Cup Wins, 7 Cup Championships

Sponsor: STP Oil Treatment

Year/Series Competed: 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series