Orlando was the perfect location to launch Junior Ride-Alongs because there are tons of kids at Disney… but we thought more kids would jump at the opportunity to experience the adrenaline pumping thrill of a NASCAR race car on a real race track!

So, why not expand Junior Ride-Alongs to Charlotte Motor Speedway (Home of NASCAR) and Daytona International Speedway (The World Center of Racing)?… we’ll we just did!

… And to celebrate we’re hosting a “Draw The King” contest!

Now through May 31st, kids (6-13 and 48″ tall) can submit their hand drawn pictures of Richard Petty, The King of NASCAR racing, for a chance to win a Ride-Along party for 10 AND their drawing on the hood of our Junior Ride-Along NASCAR race cars!!!

Get your kids ready… set them up with some crayons/color pencils/markers (their drawing utensil of choice) and DRAW! We can’t WAIT to see their version of our boss man, The King!

Visit: http://www.drivepetty.com/draw-the-king for full contest details

Want to learn more about Junior Ride-Alongs, hear about other kids’ experience, see photos? Check out the Junior Ride-Along reviews below:

http://www.whosaidnothinginlifeisfree.com/2013/05/richard-petty-driving-experience-junior-ride-along-and-draw-the-king-contest/

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-12-03/features/sfe-sfp-travel-disney-junior-ride-along_1_race-car-nascar-randy-lajoie

http://land.allears.net/blogs/kristin-ford/walt_disney_world/walt_disney_world_speedway/richard_petty_driving_experien/junior_ridealongs/

Over the past five months, Richard Petty Driving Experience has unfortunately been absent from the mid-western track due to the major reconstruction Kansas Speedway has undergone this summer.

However, we’re excited to announce, Richard Petty Driving Experience is returning to Kansas Speedway Sept 22, 23, 29, 30 and October 6, 7, 25, 26, giving you the chance to experience the track’s new surface and progressive banking, firsthand!

During this huge transformation, Kansas Speedway not only added an infield road course, but the track has been completely resurfaced and reconfigured! Before the construction, the previous banking at Kansas Speedway was 15 degree uniform banking in the turns, now the reconfigured oval features up to 20 degrees of variable banking in the turns.

Several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams took to the newly reconfigured Kansas Speedway August 28-29 and the reviews are in – and they have been pretty positive as teams navigate the variable banking for the first time.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. thinks, “The banking will add speed to the race track and one and two definitely have more banking. This should be a fast little race track.”

“I think they did a really nice job repaving,” said Matt Kenseth. “I think the repave is awesome.”

Richard Petty Driving Experience would like to personally invite you back to Kansas Speedway to experience high speed thrills on the new track! It’s faster and it’s steeper!!

Call us at 1.800.237.3889 to learn more about our program offerings, full schedule and reservations.

…And let us know what you think about Kansas Speedway’s new track in the comment box below.

See you at Kansas Speedway!

It’s truly breathtaking, one of the most unique feelings that will leave you speechless, blown away and wanting more all at the same time! Trust me, you will not regret it.

And we’re not just “tooting our own horn” here…you will really have the time of your life.

BUT, experiencing speeds up to 165mph is not the only reason you should get behind the wheel with us.

Here’s another great reason: Once you’ve driven at any RPDE location, you are automatically a member of our exclusive Experience Rewards program.

Experience Rewards is a free membership for people who have driven with RPDE in the past two years. Club members receive benefits like: exclusive discounts on drives, Ride-Alongs, merchandise and even discounts for your friends! Check out all the benefits here: http://www.drivepetty.com/experience-rewards

And sometimes (like starting TODAY), RPDE will reward Experience Rewards members even more by extending a crazy good offer.

Starting today (July 25^th) through July 31^st, RPDE will offer all Experience Rewards members these GREAT prices:

• $199 Rookie Driving Experience (Savings up to $350!)

• $449 King’s Driving Experience (Savings up to $450!)

So if you’re an Experience Rewards member, I hope this blog post made your day…And if you’re not yet an Experience Rewards member, I’ve just given you one more reason to drive a race car with Richard Petty Driving Experience at your favorite racetrack!!!

To take advantage of this limited time special pricing for Experience Rewards members, call to speak with one of our crew members. They’ll get you all set-up…for less! 1.800.237.3889

…And HAVE FUN!

Q: How did you know you wanted to race?

RP: “I grew up around racing.  My Daddy was a racer and I was always working on the car with my brother and cousin, Dale (Inman)  After I got old enough, my father let me drive.  I went to my first race, not really knowing what to expect, and after the race I told Dale, ‘Hey, I might like this driving part.’  From that point on, I just became the driver and it worked out pretty well.”

Q: If you had not become a professional race car driver, what job/career path do you think you would have taken?

RP: “You have to remember that racing is all I was ever around growing up.  It’s really all I wanted to do.  Working on the cars, racing the cars or just going to the races.  That’s really what I was around all my life so I never gave anything else that much attention.  I tell people it’s  like being a farmer.  If you’re born into a family that farms, you’re most likely going to farm.  I just had a parent that chose racing and that’s what we did to feed our family.”

Q: Why did you retire from racing?

RP: “I don’t think I have really.  I may not race the car any more, but I’m probably as busy as ever with running the race team, our Petty’s Garage company and things we do with Victory Junction Gang Camp.  It has really never stopped.  The only thing different is that I’m not behind the wheel.  I don’t think I’ll ever officially retire.  I just turned the keys to the car over to someone else to do the driving part.”

Q: What was your favorite memory from your father’s career?

RP: “Lee winning the 1959 Daytona 500 and it took him 3 days to get the win.”

Q: What is your favorite race track? Why?

RP: “Anyone that I won at (smiles). I’d probably say Daytona.  It’s the sports most prestigious track for us and if you won there, especially the 500, sometimes that was bigger than winning the championship.  They would introduce you as the Daytona 500 winner all year and that was a big deal.  And having my 200^th win come there was special too.  I guess there are just a lot of memories from Daytona.”

Q: Do you still own the #43 Plymouth Superbird?

RP: “Yes it is in the Museum and I still own it.”

That’s right Richard Petty Driving Experience will be offering real life racing thrills “somewhere over the rainbow”!

Richard Petty Driving Experience will bring high speed, Race Rides to Kansas Speedway Friday, April 20^th following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and Saturday, April 21^st following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

Not sure what Race Rides are… here’s your answer.

Kansas Speedway Under the Lights

Race Rides let you Ride-Along shotgun in a 600hp NASCAR racecar at speeds up to 155 mph, just hours after your favorite NASCAR drivers take the track. Race Rides are offered during NASCAR race weekends and let you experience the same race tracks as your favorite drivers, putting you as close to being in the race as you’ll ever get!

This April will be the first time in history we’ve offered Race Rides at Kansas Speedway! To make the experience even more thrilling (if that’s possible), Race Rides will take place under the lights!

So, are you ready to feel speeds up to 155 mph, for three fast laps in a real NASCAR race car on the 1.5 mile, high banked track in the sunflower state? RESERVE YOUR RACE RIDE TODAY!! Race Ride times are available for Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

Unlike our 3-lap Ride Along experience, remember, Race Rides DO require reservations, so make yours today! Reservations can be made online at http://www.drivepetty.com/race-tracks/kansas-speedway or through our call center at 1.800.237.3889.

There’s no place like the track. There’s no place like the track! See you in Kansas!

Violets are blue,

What better way to express your love,

Than NASCAR racing thrills for two?

Nothing says “I love you” like spending the day together at the race track… You, your sweetie and Richard Petty Driving Experience!

Choose from these two RED HOT Valentine’s Day deals:

-          This Valentine’s Day treat your sweetheart to a 3-lap, high-speed Ride-Along and get a second Ride-Along FREE!

-          Get your honey’s engine roaring by treating them to an 8, 18, or 30-lap Driving Experience and receive $143 OFF a second Driving Experience! $143 off a second Driving Experience is sure to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day!

(Almost) Nothing gets your heart pounding faster than an adrenaline-filled day at your favorite racetrack with Richard Petty Driving Experience!

These SWEET Valentine’s Day deals won’t last forever, so book today by calling 1.800.237.3889.

]]> http://www.drivepetty.com/blog/fall-in-love-with-our-sweet-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-offers/feed/ 0 http://www.drivepetty.com/blog/richard-petty-driving-experience-travels-to-canada-eh/ http://www.drivepetty.com/blog/richard-petty-driving-experience-travels-to-canada-eh/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:20:20 +0000 JInman http://www.drivepetty.com/blog/?p=137 That’s right… Oh Canada, the home of great hockey and delicious maple syrup…

Is also home to the second annual “Richard Petty Driving Experience Canadian Summer Tour”!

We’re traveling north again this July, visiting some of eastern Canada’s local, home tracks including: Kawartha Downs & Speedway (Fraserville, ON), Delaware Speedway (Delaware, ON), Sunset International Speedway (Innisfil, ON) and Riverside International Speedway (Antigonish, NS).

Last year was the very first year Richard Petty Driving Experience traveled to these Canadian short tracks, but based on overwhelming enthusiasm and support, we are thrilled to continue this trip to our northern neighbor!

And it’s certainly fitting that we take Richard Petty Driving Experience to Canada since Richard Petty’s first-ever NASCAR-race took place at Toronto’s CNE stadium in 1958…

Therefore, we’re proud to offer Canadians the chance to experience real life racing thrills in a Petty race car again this summer. Get behind the wheel and drive 12 fast laps with our signature driving program, the Rookie Experience, for $399. Rather let a professional do the driving? Ride-Along shotgun for 4 thrilling laps for only $79.

So if you’re in Canada this July, be sure to get oot and aboot and right over to Richard Petty Driving Experience!

Reservations are required for all driving experiences and can also be made for Ride-Alongs, but are not required. For reservations or more information call 1.800.237.3889 or visit www.DrivePetty.com/Can-Tour.

Congratulations Kim on being named Richard Petty Driving Experience’s #1 fan!!!

Kim Keen, RPDE's #1 Fan

We wanted to get to know our #1 fan better and thought you would also enjoy getting to know her! Here’s ten questions with Kim Keen….

RPDE: Kim, congrats on being named Richard Petty Driving Experience’s #1 Fan! Richard watched the top three #1 Fan Video submissions and picked YOU as the winner! If you had the chance to speak to him right now, what would you say?!

KK: I’m thinking that If I were to speak with Mr. Petty – my first reaction would be that I would be in a state of shock therefore causing me to be speechless!!! However - I would first say Thank You for choosing my video and above that remind him of what an inspiration he is!!! I would love to know how he acquired such confidence and determination? I know his incredible personality goes far beyond motorsports, and he must have other interests too – curious to know what. Most likely, I would also at some point probably ask for his autograph!!!! (Who wouldn’t, right?!?!) Since I’m on a roll here – I might as well just go ahead and ask him if he would be willing to get behind the wheel of one of his cars and take his RPDE #1 Fan for a Ride -a-long – RICHARD PETTY STYLE!!!!   (I know he’s not to into doing that, but I couldn’t resist!!!)

RPDE: How does being named Richard Petty Driving Experience’s #1 Fan make you feel?

KK: I feel that I have been allowed a great honor to be chosen by Richard Petty to be named the RPDE #1 Fan – although, I believe I am only one of the many  #1 Fans the RPDE has! I think I can speak on behalf of a lot of the fans when I say – we all get out of the car feeling #1!!!!!

RPDE: As our #1 Fan and a RPDE legend, will you tell your children and your grandchildren and their grandchildren about your Driving Experiences? Will they follow in your “need for speed” footsteps?

Kim Keen during her experience at Daytona

KK: I will absolutely tell everyone about my driving experiences!! I tell everyone I can now!! I had some of my family cheering me on from pit row – which was really cool!  I know that my boys will share these memories with their children – if they should some day become parents! I think they were both impressed with my drive in Daytona.  Before the RPDE – I was being told I was crazy – after the RPDE – I was brave and did awesome! So, yes – I feel they will follow in my “need for speed” footsteps, they just haven’t quite realized it yet!!!!!

RPDE: Of course our dream car is a Petty Blue #43 NASCAR race car…. What is your dream car?

KK: I really don’t have a particular dream car, anything that goes fast, and is sweet looking! Would have to be red and/or black. - I think having a convertible would be nice.

RPDE: How did you celebrate being named Richard Petty Driving Experience’s #1 Fan? Did your house look like Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500?

KK: I was totally excited when I heard I won, I did the happy dance!!!  I slept with a smile that evening! I have yet to do the real celebrating!!!!!

RPDE: Which RPDE track location do you plan to conquer next? Why?

KK: I have not decided which track to do next! It doesn’t really matter. The fact that I get to drive again is unbelievable!!!  I would like to go where I can exceed my challenges at Daytona. I think it will be fun to drive a track like Charlotte or even Vegas.  I want to have to really be in control of the car. Turns for handling and braking and straight stretches for speed!!  Just knowing that I am going to “Get strapped in and be in control in a 600 hp car” once again – is good enough for me. Any track will be GREAT!!!

RPDE: Richard Petty’s signature look has always been a cowboy hat, dark sunglasses, belt buckle and cowboy boots… Becoming a legend means you need a trademark! What would you do/wear to make your unforgettable signature look, like The King has done?

KK: I don’t have much of a signature look – I do always wear a gold cross neclace and sign my name with a heart above the I.  I am up for suggestions on the trademark look!!!

RPDE: In your #1 Fan Video Submission, Richard was able to see the love and passion you have for Richard Petty Driving Experience and really enjoyed watching, as did everyone! Can we expect to see anymore videos from you in the future?

CONGRATS Kim!!

KK: If there is an opportunity for me to share more of my RPDE videos – you will definately see more videos!!!

RPDE: Driving a NASCAR race car is always a huge thrill, but what is the next “must do experience” on your bucket list? Why?

KK: I really only have 2 things I must do – on my bucket list. The RPDE at Daytona was 1 of them! The only other thing I would like to do is go white water rafting in the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River! I think the canyon would be a breathtaking sight to see and to feel the power of the raging river among the scenery would be overwhelming!!! The earths natural beauty is amazing!!!

RPDE: Is there anything you would like to say to YOUR fans and the people that liked your video on Facebook?

KK: I want to thank all of the people who voted for my video on facebook.  I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my driving experience with everyone who was willing to watch it.  Because of you, my video was 1 of the 3 to be viewed by Richard Petty!  How cool to know that the King of Nascar viewed my perception of my RPDE, and honored, to say the least, to be chosen as the RPDE #1 Fan Video Contest Winner! What  incredible support I recieved - that means so much to me!!! Thanks for being a part of a lifelong memory of mine! For those of you who are considering the RPDE, I encourage you to do it and go fast, fast, fast! Those of you who have done it, I encourage you to do it again n again n again!!!!  As The RPDE #1 Fan – I have  the greatest #1 fans too!  Lets get to a track and go – go - go!!!!!!

RPDE: Kim, thanks for your passion and loyalty for Richard Petty Driving Experience. We are excited that you are our #1 Fan and look forward to getting to know you better!!!

To view Kim’s winning video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUiPclm3vEJusEyyvCV1YGog&feature=plcp

Happy New Year and all the best in 2012!!!

You guys mean the world to us, so today we are featuring a couple customers and their stories… hope you enjoy!

It’s always twice as fun when you bring your WHOLE family with you to the track to experience the smell, taste, sounds and thrills of racing. Families are ALWAYS invited to come join us on pit road to cheer you on as you Ride-Along or Drive!

A Junior Fan

Check out this junior fan with one of our professional drivers at Texas Motor Speedway. His father drove with us and brought him along. He had a blast!!

If you’ve ever met our track crews at any of our locations, you quickly discovered how helpful, hardworking and passionate these guys are. They always go above and beyond to make your Ride-Along or Driving Experience unforgettable! Our track crew truly enjoys seeing everyone come to the track wearing HUGE smiles with excitement in their eyes!

Recently in Charlotte, a gentleman brought his father out to drive for his 70th birthday. The Charlotte crew not only made sure these guys had an experience of a lifetime, but also gave the 70 year old birthday boy a large sweet treat to help him celebrate… a huge checkered flag cupcake! He was smiling from ear to ear…. That’s what it’s all about y’all!

Proposal at Texas Motor Speedway

Thanks again to our customers… old, new and soon to be! You guys are the best!