Richard Petty, NASCAR’s iconic seven-time champion, traded checkered flags for fairways this week. The King, synonymous with Daytona dominance, lent his voice to promote the PGA Championship’s first-ever event at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club, blurring lines between stock car racing and golf.
Petty, who rarely swings a club himself, has long fostered ties between the sports through his annual Petty Charity Golf Classic. Now, his narration for the PGA’s promotional campaign highlights a shared thrill: the pulse-pounding tension of competition, whether at 200 mph or on the 18th green.
Richard Petty Narrates PGA’s Charlotte Debut With Racing Flair
In a video posted by Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter, Petty delivered a gravelly-voiced teaser for the tournament. “A city that’s usually known for speed, but this week a new King will be crowned,” Petty said, referencing Charlotte’s NASCAR roots.
“As the Queen City plays host to a different competition, with the best golfers in the world, looking to conquer the green mountain and reign supreme at Quail Hollow.”
CBS taps NASCAR legend Richard Petty to set the stage for moving day at the PGA in Charlotte pic.twitter.com/eNJyRZw00e
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter)
The 87-year-old drew parallels between golf’s precision and racing’s chaos. “No roaring engines here, no stretching tires either, but I promise you this: At the PGA championship, the heart rate gets going just the same,” Petty said.
“Every shot, every putt, every breath, can determine which of these players will lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday night.”
Petty’s involvement isn’t just symbolic. His charity golf event at Grandover Resort & Spa has funneled millions to the Petty Family Foundation, supporting injured drivers and military families. While he admits golf isn’t his passion, its community impact aligns with his legacy.
NASCAR Stars Follow Petty’s Lead Into Golf’s Spotlight
Petty isn’t alone in bridging the sports. Current Cup Series stars Kyle Larson and William Byron recently played Quail Hollow, with Larson filming a playful invite to fans. “Hey, what’s up? I’m NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, here at Quail Hollow,” he said.
“Just got a chance to play 18 holes, I had an amazing time, so looking forward to the PGA championship, it’s gonna be beautiful. So I encourage all the fans to come on out, it gonna be a blast.”
William Byron also recently shared his enthusiasm for golf in an interview in Augusta, Georgia, last month. “I am amazed at how they quiet their minds. Because I’ve played in one Pro-Am at Quail Hollow and just the amount of noises you can hear,” he said.
“Like the little things in the crowd, and the little bird chirps and things like that. It’s amazing they can block that out and sort of have that flow in the moment.”
The crossover traces back to partnerships like Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, born from golf-course brainstorming. Petty’s narration, though, marks a full-circle moment — a NASCAR legend endorsing golf’s elite in racing’s backyard.
For Petty, the connection lies in competition’s universal appeal. “Don’t let the speed of this game fool you, because this chase could come down to wire, and I can’t wait.” As Rory McIlroy vies for his fifth Charlotte win, Petty’s words remind fans: Adrenaline needs no engine.
We have watched NASCAR races for decades on TV and now …we have to pay for a streaming service ?!!! Continual greed. Last year I went to the Coke 324, had to pay $20 to park on Saturday and $50 to park for the shortened race that they should have finished.