The King and his court at Amelia Island

NASCAR legend Richard Petty was joined by celebrated racers Carroll Shelby and Don Garlits on Saturday at a seminar at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Amelia Island, Fla.

Shelby was filling in for Sir Stiling Moss OBE, who was injured a week ago after falling into an elevator shaft at his home.

The three racers regaled a packed house with stories from their careers. Drag racer Garlits brought down the house when talking about how, back in the 1960s and early '70s, Chrysler wanted him to develop a gasoline-powered drag-race engine.

"Gasoline is for washing parts," Garlits said, "and alcohol is for drinking. Nitromethane is what you use for racing."

The 15th-annual Amelia Island concours is Sunday, with Petty serving as honorary chairman of the event.

By Roger Hart