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Adam Petty was the son of NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, grandson of NASCAR legend Richard Petty,and great grandson of patriarch Lee Petty. Adam was set to make his NASCAR Winston cup full time debut in 2001 driving the 45 for Petty Enterprises, along side his father. But, Adam never made it to cup, save one start in 2000 at Texas Motor Speedway. Adam Petty tragically died a few weeks later at New Hampshire Motor speedway, during a crash in a Busch series practice. He was only 18. He died when his throttle stuck and had him accelerating into the wall in turn 3. This was the first of two similar deaths in NASCAR that year-Kenny Irnwin Jr, Tony Roper in the Craftsman truck series- and the big one in 2001. Dale Earnhardt Sr.

The effects from this were felt majorly across NASCAR. Adam was the first driver killed in a major series since 1994, when Neil Bonnet and Rodney Orr were both killed at Daytona. So, it reminded everyone NASCAR was a dangerous sport.

Another effect was this started the discussion of the SAFER BARRIER, the use of the HANS (head and neck
system), and an ingition kill switch on the steering wheel. But, sadly the mandate of the HANS device wasn't enforced until February 19th 2001.

This also had other effects, This absolutely devastated Kyle Petty, and he whole Petty family. Kyle drove Adam's 45 in the Busch series, and changed his cup car number, from 44 to 45 in honor. Kyle was never the same after the loss of his son. Kyle was never his father, but he was competitive. But the death of Adam seemingly crushed his desire to race again. He was never competitive again, nor came close to winning a race, minus a Coca Cola 600 race at Charlotte motor speedway several years later. I think Kyle was getting ready to retire around the same time Rusty Wallace did, but he kept running the 45 in honor of Adam.

Adam's death probably began the decline of Petty enterprises to. Adam was being groomed to be the New face of the team, with Kyle Petty, and john Andretti. Adam had sponsorship lined up for s cup ride, and had his grandfathers talent, supposedly. When he died, PE lost their future. They struggled on with several different drivers for the 43, Christian Fiddipaldi, Bobby Labonte, and Chad McCumbe, before merging with fellow dodge team Evernham motor sports.

So, what would have been different, had Adam gotten his NASCAR career. He'd be about 36 or 37, so he'd be on the tail end of his career now.
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