Seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Richard Petty was named North Carolinian of the Year on Thursday, joining Billy Graham, Dean Smith and others in receiving the honor from the North Carolina Press Association.

Petty, 70, won a record 200 NASCAR Winston Cup races and seven Daytona 500 races. He won 27 races in 1967 alone, 18 races in 1970 and 21 in 1971. Since 2000, no driver has won more than eight in a season. Only the late Dale Earnhardt matched Petty’s seven NASCAR championships.

Petty was honored at the press association’s annual meeting, held this year at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord. Petty attended the award ceremony with his wife, Lynda.

“I really appreciate this honor. I’m in there with a bunch of heavy hitters. Those are people North Carolina can be proud of,” Petty said.

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