When Richard Petty graduated from Randleman High School in 1955 it was easily assumed that he would be his father’s crew chief until he was 21. At that age, he would start driving cars on the track, as promised by his father, Lee. However, the young North Carolina boy was more interested in attending every Randleman Tigers sporting event. He even volunteered to be the official transportation director for the cheerleading squad. But why would the son of a racing legend spend his afternoons watching cheerleaders instead of learning the ropes of his father’s trade? Well, Richard shared the answer in a 2010 interview.

“There was a freshman cheerleader named Lynda Owens,” Richard Petty told ESPN’s Ryan McGee in 2010. “She was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.” Richard would spend more time with Lynda and instead of being on the road with his father, he continued pursuing her. eventually getting married in 1958. Soon when Richard became a prominent name on the track, Lynda Owens was often seen with him and was christened as the  ‘First Lady of NASCAR.’ Over the years, she would become a pillar of support for Richard, who would eventually take over his father’s role on the track. Lynda was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and passed away four years later at the age of 72. For Richard Petty, 55 years of marriage with her were probably not enough and the legendary driver remembered her on what would have been her 83rd birthday.

Recently, Petty shared a few old photos of Lynda and himself on Instagram with the caption: “Happy Birthday to the First Lady of NASCAR!”  One of the biggest reasons why Richard Petty managed a full-time racing career was Lynda.

While he was on the road winning races and making history, Lynda stayed back to hold the fort. Raising four kids, Kyle Petty, and three daughters, Sharon Farlow, Rebecca Petty Moffit, and Lisa Petty.

In a 2016 interview with Graham Besinger, Richard Petty talked about the role of Lynda in his life. “She took care of the house, she took care of the bills, she did all of that kind of thing. I went out and did my racing and did my job, and then it was like I told people—three lives. She lived the life, I lived the life, and we lived the life together. So we were married 55 years, but we probably lived together 25.” Well, The King made sure his Queen had her flowers once again.

While Lynda was known for her presence at many of Richard’s races which put her into NASCAR folklore, the story of their marriage is even more intriguing.

Owens was only 17 in 1959 when 22-year-old Richard Petty proposed marriage. But since Petty didn’t have money for a ring, they decided to elope. The couple went to Chesterfield, S.C. but discovered Lynda was too young to marry without parental consent. But instead of seeking permission, they returned the next day with Lynda’s birth certificate altered to show she was 18.

Lynda would get a ring three months after their marriage and they moved in with Richard’s parents.  “She went into her house and I went home. I took me three or four months to get a diamond for her, and by the time we got the money, I bought a diamond and told everybody we were married,” Richard said in a 2009 SPEED TV interview.

Their fortunes would soon turn as Richard became one of the biggest names in stock car racing racking up championship wins after championship wins. As his career took off, he and Lynda agreed to a division of duties. Richard would put food on the table and Lynda would take care of the household and the children. This was something that Lynda willingly took up, even becoming the disciplinarian of the family of the family when the need arose.

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Every wife plays a part. Her part was very well played.

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“Ask Kyle, ‘Did your daddy ever whip you?’ and he’ll say, ‘No, but my mother wailed the daylights out of me,’” said Lynda in that 2009 interview. “I disciplined (the children) and never even bothered Richard with it.”

Following her cancer diagnosis, Richard Petty came around and realized that it was his turn now to take care of her.

“It was time for me to slow down and start taking care of her. She’s been taking care of me all these years, (and) everyone adapted to make things a little easier for her. It was hard on me and hard on the family, but it was hardest on her,” Richard Petty said in 2012. Although she would beat cancer, the treatments took their toll and she passed away peacefully in her North Carolina home.

The old photos shared by Richard Petty on Instagram, even took NASCAR legend Mark Martin down memory lane, as he replied with a comment, “❤️.” That’s how all the people who knew Lynda felt, both in NASCAR and outside NASCAR. To put it simply, she was infectious!

In 2014, Ryan McGee, remembering the first time he had met her, put it beautifully in an article. “I stood at the entrance of the office where our talk had taken place and looked confused. In my mind, when I thought about our chat, I’d always remembered us being on rocking chairs, sitting there by the front door…I don’t think there were ever actually any rocking chairs there. But that’s just how talking to Miss Lynda makes you feel.”

While Lynda took care of her family, she was also a strong leader of her community. And had a pull towards public service. She had a 16-year tenure on the Randolph County School Board. She also volunteered for the Red Cross, led Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and served as president of the local athletic booster club. Following Richard Petty’s post, there was a flood of comments honoring her memory

And the entire NASCAR community misses her…

Petty’s post was flooded with heartfelt birthday wishes as fans, too, joined on memory lane. One fan wrote, “Happy Birthday Linda!!! She set a lasting example for all of us drivers’ wives to follow!!! ❤”  Which is true. And for them, she even started the Racing Wives Auxiliary.

Another fan echoed the same emotions, writing, “HBD Queen! Rest in Power!!!” She was probably one of the strongest women. Took care of her family and was always involved in social work. She was even honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with a Philanthropy Award for her personal commitment to seriously ill children and American troops.

Even the NASCAR community had an unsaid bond with her through Richard Petty. That’s the reason why the wishes just kept coming. One fan missing her wrote, “Happy Heavenly Birthday Linda.” Another one wrote, “HBD ❤ RIP 🙏.” It would have been great to have her at Martinsville last year when Richard Petty was the grand marshal for the Xfinity 500. Surrounded by the entire Petty family. Lynda was missed. But still, she continues to live in the hearts of the NASCAR community.

At the time of her passing, Brain France had said, “Through the years, Lynda became an integral part of the NASCAR landscape. We have lost a true friend who will be missed each and every day.”

And to this one fan, this day is extra special as Lynda happens to be her birthday twin. The fan wrote, “❤❤  Happy Birthday Linda!! I’m happy to share this birthday with you!! ❤❤.” What are some of your memories of Lynda Petty? Share your thoughts in the comments below.