Richard Petty to receive award prior to this year's race at Watkins Glen

Prior to the August race weekend at Watkins Glen International, Richard Petty will be presented with the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports, sponsored by the International Motor Racing Research Center.

Petty will receive the award Aug. 6 at the IMRRC Award Dinner at the Corning (New York) Museum of Glass. The event will be presented by NASCAR, International Speedway Corp. and Watkins Glen International.

The award is named for the late Cameron R. Argetsinger, founder and organizer of the first races at Watkins Glen. Team owner and former driver Chip Ganassi was the first recipient of the Argetsinger Award in 2014.

"It always makes you feel good to be honored or recognized for your contributions, especially for something you have dedicated so much of your life towards," Petty said. "You can tell that Cameron also had a passion for road racing and dedicated his time and efforts to making it better for everyone."

The inaugural race through the streets of Watkins Glen was in 1948. In 1961, Argetsinger organized the first U.S. Grand Prix, and Formula One racing began its successful 20-year run at The Glen. NASCAR competed at The Glen in 1957, 1964 and 1965 and annually since 1986.

"You have to figure that racing wasn't as popular back when I started," said Petty. "It didn't matter if it was on an oval, road course or a street course, it was still coming along in America. Today, it's all popular, and it took a lot of folks working together to make that happen. I appreciate this award and what it means to our sport."

Petty competed in eight NASCAR races at Watkins Glen, including July 19, 1964, when both he and his father, the legendary Lee Petty, were on the track. It was Lee Petty's final career race.

"The Cameron Argetsinger Award recognizes Richard Petty not only for his accomplishments as a driver, but also as a team owner and committed philanthropist," IMRRC President J.C. Argetsinger said. "More than 10 years after his retirement, 'The King' is a force that still reigns. We are very pleased that he is accepting this honor from the Racing Research Center."

The IMRRC Award Dinner is open to the public. Tickets are $250 each and may be purchased at http://racingarchives.org/special_event.php or by calling the Racing Research Center at (607) 535-9044.

"When sports fans think of NASCAR, they think of Richard Petty and vice versa," said Mike Helton, NASCAR vice chairman. "Few competitors in history are as synonymous with their sport as Petty is to NASCAR. Fans love the blue No. 43 car, mustache, cowboy hat and sunglasses, everything about Richard Petty is one of a kind. NASCAR has benefited immensely from the contributions that Richard has provided both inside, his record 200 wins will never be eclipsed, and outside the race car."

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the IMRRC, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to preserve and share the materials of the history of motorsports, all series and all venues worldwide.