Independent Notes: Riding Behind Richard Petty
By Dan Dockstader
July 11, 2026
Chasing Richard Petty, a view that many NASCAR drivers have seen, was where I was during the Town of Alpine parade. SVI PHOTO BY DAN DOCKSTADER
“Pull in behind Mr. Petty.”
“Sure!”
That’s what the person advised as SVI pulled up to line up for the Alpine parade.
My wife Kim and I lined up the SVI 25th float behind Richard Petty, Grand Marshal for the event.
Of course there was some extra time, so we hopped out to say hello to the NASCAR legend.
He was very cordial and we took a quick photo together.
Dan and Kim Dockstader with “The King” Richard Petty. COURTESY PHOTO
It wasn’t that photo that impressed me. It was how Mr. Petty was so polite to the parade crowd and shook hands with those running out to his vehicle for a greeting as he headed up the parade.
We watched all this happen as we followed along.
One of the more kind moments came when someone ran out with a cowboy hat and asked him to put his signature on the hat.
That was a nice conclusion to the day at the Alpine parade, as we had joined both Thayne and Afton parades earlier in the day.
Thayne broke a record with their attendance.
A big shout out to Thayne for stepping up and helping SVI with the fundraiser for the Soldotna, Alaska football coverage next month.
These were nice local moments as we celebrated the nations 250th on Saturday.
