Bull riding has risks, but that didn’t deter NASCAR veteran and complex personality Kyle Petty from participating in the exhilarating activity. His perilous encounter in the sport, which he equated to being “worse than a car crash,” nearly lost him his life. Petty, 64, has a stellar career that includes a stellar 30-year NASCAR career and eight Cup Series race victories. But his accomplishments extend beyond the racetrack. In addition, he is a well-known author, singer, television personality, and philanthropist. Bull riding, however, was a daring activity he had not yet accomplished before 2011.
Petty is no stranger to risk or audacious plans. His family has a long history of pushing boundaries and taking chances. When Lee Petty entered his first NASCAR race in 1949, he ignited the Petty family’s legacy of fearlessness. When Kyle made the decision to enter the dangerous world of bull riding, he brought this fearless mindset with him. Petty planned to ride a motorcycle on Texas’ “Wall of Death” in November 2011. Then-Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage made arrangements for Petty to ride a 1,700–2,000-pound bull in its place as he was unable to make that happen. Petty thought he would be saddled with a smaller, more manageable calf, but instead he was confronted by a gigantic bull.
Petty was all in despite the sudden change in circumstances. He armed himself with a helmet, a Kevlar jacket, borrowed boots, and chaps. However, nothing could get him ready for the tumultuous journey that was ahead. He described the encounter as “the most violent thing” he had ever done. He was thrown up in the air and slammed down in a matter of seconds during the intense, power-packed collision, which was like an extreme roller coaster ride. He was flung off the bull and landed flat on his back at the end of the gravity-defying experience. A clown’s quick action diverted the bull from a possibly lethal situation when he saw six bulls racing in his direction.
After his near-death experience, he had a greater regard for all bull riders, realizing the risk they voluntarily take in order to get the rush of adrenaline, much like NASCAR drivers do when operating 750 horsepower vehicles. Petty’s courage and tenacity are not limited to athletics. He had to prove himself to his own father, NASCAR superstar Richard Petty, who had to overcome his own obstacles even though he had won seven championships and 200 Cups. Like his father before him, Richard instilled in Kyle the importance of earning his position in society. When Kyle was a teenager and said he wanted to drive a race car, his father made sure he knew the nuances of the profession.
In his 2022 book Swerve or Die, Kyle describes his father’s condition, where he was forced to labor in every department of the shop for a year or more before he could even talk about his future in racing. Kyle never shied away from the hard work, even if the route ahead was difficult. He worked in the shop during his after-school hours and played football concurrently. At the young age of 19, his dedication earned him his first ARCA Menards Series triumph in 1979. From his adventurous bull riding adventures to his remarkable NASCAR career, Kyle Petty’s tales are as complex and exciting as the guy himself. We look forward to hearing more fascinating tales from this courageous and successful veteran.
