Renowned Charlotte Doctor Who Served Panthers and NASCAR Dies
Dr. Jerry Petty, a highly respected neurosurgeon in Charlotte and a longtime medical figure for both NASCAR and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, has passed away, according to his practice, Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates (CNSA).
Dr. Petty was a founding partner of CNSA and spent over five decades treating athletes and patients in the Charlotte area. He was notably the first neurosurgical consultant for the Carolina Panthers, beginning his role with the team’s inaugural season in 1995. Long before that, he had already established himself as a key medical advisor for NASCAR starting in the 1970s.
CNSA honored Petty’s legacy in a statement: “We are honored to stand on the foundation he built. Thank you, Dr. Petty. Your life’s work continues to guide and inspire us all.”
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had been treated by Petty following multiple concussions, also paid tribute to him on social media, calling him not only a skilled doctor but a “kind, amazing person” with a great sense of humor and a lasting impact.
Petty, a native of Gastonia and a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, was just months away from his 90th birthday. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Leave a Reply