WASHINGTON, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

THURSDAY, JULY 2: RICHARD PETTY

Profile America -- Thursday, July 2nd. Only the very best at what they do earns the nickname "The King." In stock car racing, it's Richard Petty, who turns 72 years old today. He was born in the town of Level Cross, North Carolina, where he still lives. He was seven times national champion of NASCAR, a feat matched only by Dale Earnhardt. Petty won 200 races during his active career, a record not apt to be matched anytime soon. He started 1,184 races during 35 years, and placed among the top ten 712 times. Each year, more than 12.5 million fans travel to at least one race of the NASCAR season to see their favorite driver. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 343

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1206

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau