The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has announced the course for its April 28 – May 4 cross-country motorcycle trek. More than 175 riders will join the 18th anniversary ride beginning in Napa, Calif., and travel over 2,500 miles before finishing at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded by former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kyle Petty, the Charity Ride raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp created to benefit children with chronic or life threatening illnesses.
“We started this ride as a small group of friends just riding from track to track,” said Kyle Petty, who currently serves as a NASCAR television analyst for SPEED, Showtime and TNT. “It’s amazing to see how this event has grown – seven days of beautiful riding with more than 175 riders helping to send hundreds of kids to Victory Junction.”
In 2012, for the first time riders will pass among the sprawling redwood forests of California and travel both “The Loneliest Road in America” (U.S. Highway 50) and “The Million Dollar Highway” (U.S. Route 550). In addition to 25 planned fuel stops, the 2012 Charity Ride route will make overnight visits in Redding, Calif.; Reno, Nev.; Richfield, Utah; Grand Junction, Colo.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Lubbock, Texas.
Two-time Daytona 500 winner (2009, 2012) Matt Kenseth, former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, Texas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Eddie Gossage, NASCAR legend Harry Gant and former NBA star and NASCAR team owner Brad Daugherty also plan to participate for all (or part) of this year’s ride.
A year-round camp, Victory Junction was founded by the Petty family to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by creating experiences that are memorable, empowering, and physically safe and medically sound. The Randleman, N.C., camp was founded by the Pettys to honor their late son Adam; since opening its doors in 2004, Victory Junction has been the Charity Ride’s primary beneficiary.
In the last eight years, more than 7,350 children with health issues that would typically prevent them from attending camp have attended Victory Junction at no charge thanks to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride. Construction of a second facility is currently under way in Kansas City, Kan.
For detailed information on Ride pit stops, or for more information on Victory Junction and the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, visit kylepettycharityride.com.
