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The ’80s is often considered an overlooked era of NASCAR. However, it was a time of great importance for the sport, featuring unforgettable moments such as Air Force One landing next to the 1984 Firecracker 400—just Google it. This race also commemorated Richard Petty’s record-setting 200th win. By that point, Petty had earned the title of “The King,” yet the ’80s were pivotal as he sealed many records that he still holds today.
At the 2019 ARCA Menards 200 in Daytona, Petty’s Garage unveiled a 1981 Buick Regal to honor The King’s historic 7th Daytona 500 win, the record for the most wins by any driver.
“I remember the ’81 race perfectly because my crew chief Dale Inman outsmarted them all,” Petty reflected. “Petty’s Garage has done an outstanding job of replicating the race car and keeping it classic, while also modernizing it with today’s trends.” Inman is revered as one of the most successful crew chiefs in NASCAR history, boasting eight championships and 193 wins.
General Tire conceptualized the plan to build this road-worthy Buick in less than two months. It originally served as a 1981 Buick Regal Miller Lite promotional vehicle, being one of only 25 models. The all-steel body mirrors the original, which fortuitously resides in Petty’s Garage museum in Level Cross, North Carolina.
This lightning-fast build was completed in just a month. “If it weren’t for the whole team coming together, this wouldn’t have happened in such a short time,” stated fabricator Greg Turner. “It was a really fun build, and it’ll be a fun car to drive.” The Buick runs on 18×9 Vision 55 Rally wheels fitted with G Max RS tires, with Forgeline custom building new 18-inch wheels to emulate the original stock car wheels.
The original 358ci-Buick race engine has been replaced by a modern 376-cube LS3 crate engine equipped with a Texas Speed Stage 3 cam kit and Holley EFI. A Tremec 6-speed manual transmission handles shifting duties, allowing the Buick to produce an impressive 430 hp at the wheels.
The interior maintains a mostly bare-bones stock car aesthetic, featuring a one-piece metal dash adorned with a Holley 7-inch digital display. Though carpet is absent, fully functional windows and an Alpine stereo system enhance comfort for long drives. Unique touches from The King are included, such as a Petty Blue shifter ball and Petty’s Garage Hummingbird steering-wheel center. The car showcases advanced RideTech suspension, Wilwood brakes, a MagnaFlow exhaust system, and a trunk-mounted Odyssey battery.
“We want to pay homage to Richard and one of the most iconic stock cars,” shared Travis Roffler, director of marketing for General Tire. “This car is a showstopper and will be featured in our General Tire display that travels across the country. We look forward to allowing fans to see it up close.” The Buick even made an appearance at the 2019 HOT ROD Power Tour.
