May 24, 2009 - Richard Petty and John Andretti, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis IN

Richard Petty savors royal treatment at Indy 500

The King of stock-car racing got the royal treatment at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, savoring every moment at his first Indy 500 as team owner.

The King of stock-car racing got the royal treatment at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, savoring every moment at his first Indy 500 as team owner.

The King - Richard Petty with John Andretti and The 43 Car - 2009 Indy 500 Entry

The King

The King of stock-car racing got the royal treatment at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, savoring every moment at his first Indy 500 as team owner.

The seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty planned to watch the race from pit road and stay as long as his blue-and-red No. 43 car, driven by John Andretti stayed on the 2.5-mile oval. Andretti started 28th, the inside of Row 10.

"It's interesting with all the excitement and stuff around here," Petty said before the race. "I've been around stock cars all my life, and you don't always see the excitement on TV. But when you're here, it's really exciting, really fun."

Andretti, the first man to try the Memorial Day weekend double in 1994, acknowledged the double would be easier for Petty than it was for him.

"He's probably got more people worried about him making the helicopter on time than I did," Andretti said before the race. "If he happens to miss the start of the 600, that's not good, but he'll still get there."

Petty, who attended last year's race as a fan, has not said whether he intends to make another foray into IndyCar racing. Of course, reaching Victory Lane might make a difference.

"I don't know what I'm doing next week, much less next year," Petty said, dressed in his trademark cowboy hat and sunglasses. "I can tell you the better John runs, the longer we'll stay."

Andretti finished 19th, the final car on the lead lap.

Petty left for Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, but the NASCAR race was postponed until Monday at noon ET due to rain.

Original Story - NASCAR.com & AP