Who was Adam Petty? Fourth-gen NASCAR driver died in 2000 crash
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One of NASCAR's most prominent families suffered the loss of two loved ones within a month of one another back in 2000.
19-year-old Adam Petty, a fourth-generation driver, died two months before his 20th birthday following a crash during a NASCAR practice. Born on July 10, 1980, he would have turned 46 years old this month.
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A month before Adam's death, his great-grandfather and NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty died April 5, 2000, at 86 years old.
Take a look back on Adam Petty's career.
See photos of Adam Petty, Richard Petty's grandson, NASCAR driver who died in 2000 crash
How did Adam Petty die?
Adam Petty died at 19 years old in a crash during a NASCAR practice at New Hampshire International Speedway on May 12, 2000.
During the practice, Petty "appeared to brush the wall in Turn 3 before spinning out and smashing sideways into the concrete," a Washington Post article from 2000 reported.
He had been traveling at close to 130 mph, according to the article, and though the red-and-blue No. 45 Sprint PCS Chevrolet did not catch fire, Petty was trapped inside for about 20 minutes before rescue workers cut through the roof to free him.
He died at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire.
How is Adam Petty related to Richard Petty?
Petty was the son of Kyle Petty and grandson of Richard Petty, aka "the King."
Kyle Petty is a retired, third generation NASCAR driver — son of Richard and grandson of pioneer Lee Petty — who began his 30-year career in 1979 at age 19.
Richard Petty was inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010. Throughout his career, he racked up 1,185 starts, 200 wins, 123 poles, seven championships and holds the record for the most (7) Daytona 500 wins, according to NASCAR.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Who was Adam Petty? Fourth-gen NASCAR driver died in 2000 crash