That blue-and-red No. 43 had everyone in its rear-view mirror. Well, almost everyone. A popular rival was emerging, and David Pearson's duels with Petty were big events coming into full bloom.

In the latest class, Richard Petty turned up with a vest in Petty Blue, which was embedded with the number 43, one of the driver's numbers during his racing days. He also wore a Legacy Motor Club ...