Petty vs. Pearson: The Rivalry That Shaped NASCAR

by Mike Hembree

Get the detailed inside story on the legendary rivalry that helped propel NASCAR from regional curiosity to national phenomenon.

The battle for NASCAR dominance was never more pronounced than when Richard Petty and David Pearson met on the track. In 551 head-to-head races between 1960 and 1986, they finished one-two an astounding 63 times (Pearson won 33, Petty 30). Each showdown attracted more media attention and new fans, helping the sport to evolve evermore rapidly.

Petty vs. Pearson is the only book to examine this storied relationship, beginning with their pre-Winston Cup careers. Award-winning motorsports journalist Mike Hembree

The drivers’ backgrounds—Petty earning his way up through a racing dynasty led by his father Lee; Pearson honing his skills as a DIY racer on local South Carolina dirt tracks Their first meeting in a Cup event, in 1960The memorable battles, including their legendary wild finish at the 1976 Daytona 500Parallel careers that coincided with seismic changes to NASCAR: the advent of superspeedways, the “aero wars,” the injection of corporate money, and a new generation of star drivers in the 1980s
While their rivalry produced amazing finishes and tense moments, Petty and Pearson were friends throughout. Petty vs. Pearson examines that relationship, including their retirements in 1986 (Pearson) and 1992 (Petty) and their lives in NASCAR beyond the driver’s seat.

Throughout the riveting text, Hembree draws on original interviews with both drivers (including interviews conducted with Petty in early 2024), those who witnessed the rivalry, and NASCAR figures who came later. The result is an entertaining and essential account of two storied drivers—and friends—who bridged NASCAR’s rollicking early years and the sophisticated entertainment concern it is today.

Featuring a foreword by Terry Labonte, a legendary driver in his own right, Petty vs. Pearson is a must-have for every fan’s collection.

248 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Monte Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fine book is of particular interest to me because I wrote about the sport for 20 years, its author is a longtime friend and the subject is a favorite. I grew up watching Richard Petty race David Pearson. Mike Hembree did, too. He is a fine writer and valued colleague. I doubt anyone could provide a better assessment of the two drivers who played a major role in making NASCAR what it is today. They were too very different men who nevertheless had the greatest possible respect for each other. Petty won more races; Pearson won a higher percentage. Who was greater? It's a difficult topic to analyze. No one could do a better job than the author, who brings these champions of the track to life. He provided tidbits that I didn't know, and where The King and the Silver Fox are concerned, that's not easy to do.

[Brian Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining book for NASCAR fans. There is a lot of history of the early days of the sport, when races were held several times a week, many at tracks that were located at small county fairgrounds. I listened to the audiobook version - they could have left out citing every measurement (track length, race length, speed, fuel tank volume) in both imperial AND metric units - over and over. Also, perhaps the reader should learn to pronounce names of drivers and cities prior to starting to record the audio. That being said, the book was very enjoyable.

[Al Onia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The arguments and candidates for 'who's the best ever' stock car driver are varied and era-dependent. But there is little doubt that the on-track success and rivalry between Richard Petty and David Pearson mushroomed Nascar's popularity throughout the 1960's and 1970's. Different personalities off-track, they both raced with passion, respect and almost unmatchable skill.
Hembree's book is deep in research but it's the emotion and stories from all points of view which he puts on the page make this an engrossing read. It's also history.

[Jon Higgins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorely in need of an editor. A good story marred by repetition and the same stories told over and over, repeating. The audio version is an unintended howler. Terrible, inauthentic accents; unnecessary and distracting kilometer conversions (“500 miles, 804.672 kilometers”) and inexcusable inaccuracies - i.e. “Carl” Yarborough. Loved David Pearson and Richard Petty - the book, not so much.

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one kind of sneaks up on you. Ostensibly, a book just about two of NASCAR's greatest drivers, by the time you're finished, you have read a pretty good little history about the growth of the sport. Here is an author who knows his stuff, and he weaves his story well.