Grandson of Richard Petty to make stock-car debut in late model

Thad Moffitt, the 15-year-old grandson of NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty, will make his stock-car debut on Sunday in a limited late model stock car race at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, North Carolina.

Thad, who is the son of Richard Petty's daughter, Rebecca, and husband Brian Moffitt — the CEO of Richard Petty Motorsports — will drive a No. 46 Ford Mustang clad in familiar Petty blue colors that is being fielded in a partnership between RPM and Empire Racing Group.

This weekend will mark Moffitt's first time in a stock car, after competing previously in quarter midgets and karting events.

"Thad is a true rookie this weekend," said Richard Petty, a winner of a record 200 races in NASCAR's top series. "This is first time in a heavy stock car with others cars around him during a race. He's pretty excited and I'm really proud of him. I just hate that I'm going to miss it. We haven't talked a lot about it.

"We're just letting him go out and learn the process and we'll support him and help him grow. I'll be in Las Vegas for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race, but I'll be looking for updates from back home." Jared Turner/FOX