Auto Racing

It will be Richard Petty’s last race as a driver at Daytona International Speedway, but he doesn’t feel like the star of the show. President Bush will watch the start of today’s Pepsi 400 and Petty is more than willing to share the spotlight.

“His visit really sort of overshadows me and takes the pressure off. . . . The race will take precedent after the President leaves,” Petty said.

“All I have to do is follow him around. There’s going to be a lot of chaos (before the race), and I’ll just kind of follow along.”

Petty, who celebrated his 55th birthday Thursday by posting the second fastest qualifying speed in the field of 40 drivers, is hoping Bush’s visit will bring him the same kind of luck that President Reagan brought to the July 4 race eight years ago. Petty has started 224 races without a victory since then.