CONCORD, N.C. — Richard Petty didn't think women belonged on the race track when Janet Guthrie became the first female driver to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 in 1976.

Thirty years later, his opinion hasn't changed.

Petty said in an interview with The Associated Press Thursday that auto racing isn't a sport for women and that his theory has been proven out. He added that it would be tough for women to make a living in the sport.

Petty, a seven-time champion and NASCAR's all-time winningest driver, was one of the many people who gave Guthrie a cool reception when she came to Lowe's Motor Speedway for her first NASCAR event.