Barrett-Jackson car auction about to get rolling with famous Petty Blue

By Tom Jensen
Published

The first charity car of the seventh annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction comes from the heartland of NASCAR.

Seven-time NASCAR champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Richard Petty will be in Las Vegas Thursday afternoon to auction off a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fusion that was raced by Aric Almirola in the 2012 STP 400 at Kansas Speedway.

The FOX family of channels will have 23 hours of live coverage from Barrett-Jackson over the next three days, including the sale of the Petty car.

The car, decked out in the iconic and highly recognizable Petty Blue and STP Day-Glo red, was raced in 2012 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the partnership of sponsor STP and Petty's race team.

Thursday at approximately 5 p.m. ET, it will sell at no reserve, with every penny of the proceeds going to benefit he Paralyzed Veterans of America, one of "The King's" pet charities.

The race car is in track-ready condition with race brakes, transmission, rear gear, seat, safety belts and safety systems, along with a 850-horsepower Roush Yates Engines Ford powerplant under the hood.

"Just as Barrett-Jackson has a longtime commitment to philanthropy since their first car auction back in 1971, Richard Petty and Richard Petty Motorsports have a long history of supporting Paralyzed Veterans of America through Barrett-Jackson events, raising more than $355,000 for the charity over the years," the auction company said in a release. "During the past four years, Paralyzed Veterans of America has raised over $1 million to help continue the important work they do for disabled veterans and their families. Barrett-Jackson is proud to partner with Richard Petty Motorsports and the one-and-only Richard Petty for this worthy cause."

Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas television schedule (All times ET and subject to change):

Thursday, Sept. 25

7 p.m. ET to midnight on FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO

Friday, Sept. 26

2-7 p.m. on FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO

7-8 p.m. on FOX Sports GO

8-11 p.m. on FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO

Saturday, Sept. 27

2 p.m. to midnight on National Geographic Channel & FOX Sports GO