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Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Raises $1.7 Million for Victory Junction
250 participants completed the Ride’s longest route ever, traveling nearly 3,700 miles to raise funds to provide life-changing camp experience for children with chronic medical illnesses
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 18, 2019 – The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America today announced it raised more than $1.7 million after completing a true corner-to-corner route to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. Funds raised directly benefit Victory Junction – a camp in Randleman, North Carolina servicing children with chronic medical illnesses. The Ride’s donation supports maintenance programs, building projects and summer camperships.
In addition to the more than $1.7 million raised by the Ride, a $2 million donation was presented to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Trust by the Andreas family in honor of a beloved Charity Rider, the late David Andreas. The Trust was established by the Ride in 2015 to fund Victory Junction in perpetuity.
To commemorate this milestone anniversary, former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty led 250 participants on the Ride’s longest route ever. On May 3, Petty embarked from Seattle, Washington on a nearly 3,700-mile route, traveling through 11 states in nine days before ending in Key Largo, Florida on May 11.
The cities and towns along this year’s route welcomed the Ride with open arms, including more than 15 mayoral appearances who presented proclamations and/or keys to the city. Also, the Ride received a tribal blessing from leaders of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation during its visit to Pendleton, Oregon. Other highlights include Governor of Mississippi Phil Bryant attending a pit stop in Magee, Mississippi, and the entire student body of Lee Elementary School greeting the Ride in Lee, Florida.
“This year’s Ride was amazing! We had beautiful views, crowds at every stop, police escorts the entire trip, a little rain, fun visits with Victory Junction campers, great food and lots of laughs with friends for nine straight days,” said Petty. “When you get 250 people together that care about kids, want to help others and love to ride motorcycles, it’s going to be fun! Riding corner to corner across America just made it more special.”
Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam. Since 1995, 8,650 riders have logged more than 12.4 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised $18.5 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
Funds were gathered from fans along the route, as part of the Ride’s “Small Change. Big Impact.” program, as well as donations made by generous sponsors, organizations, and the riders themselves.
“Our partners are the reason we’re able to do what we do. Manheim Seattle and Manheim Tampa were special stops for us this year. Their fundraising efforts were over the top! Plus, our seven gas stops at Love’s Travel Stops and four meal stops at Harley-Davidson dealerships kept us fueled and fed,” said Petty. “Coca-Cola, WinCraft and Piedmont Moving Systems have been with us for all 25 years. I can’t say thank you enough for always being there for the Ride and for Victory Junction.”
The 2019 Ride was made possible by presenting sponsor Manheim, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Dodge, Dodge Law, Love’s Travel Stops, Racing Electronics, WinCraft, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, Petty Family Foundation, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, WileyX, Manafort Brothers Inc., Stock Car Steel & Aluminum, Inc., Blue Emu and Goody’s.
“The Kyle Petty Charity Ride has held a special place in our hearts at Manheim over the years,” said Grace Huang, president of Manheim. “I’m so proud of our team members at Manheim Seattle and Manheim Tampa who rallied together this year to raise over $75,000 to help send kids to Victory Junction.”
This year’s Ride also featured several celebrity riders, including NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty; NASCAR legends Harry Gant, Hershel McGriff and Donnie Allison; current NASCAR driver David Ragan; former Formula 1, Champ Car and NASCAR driver Max Papis; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner (1982) Herschel Walker; Heisman Trophy winner (1980) and Super Bowl champion (XXII) George Rogers; and NBC Sports NASCAR personalities Krista Voda, Rutledge Wood, and Rick Allen.
To look back at Petty and the riders’ journey, check out their posts on social media:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kpcharityride and www.facebook.com/kylepetty45
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kpcharityride and www.instagram.com/kylepetty
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kpcharityride and www.twitter.com/kylepetty
For more information about the 25th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to donate, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.
About Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America
Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle ride that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Now in its 25th year, 8,650 riders have logged more than 12.4 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised $18.5 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Co-founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, North Carolina. Victory Junction exists to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 28,410 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.
About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim® is North America’s leading provider of end-to-end wholesale solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for inventory management, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. With its omni-channel approach, Manheim Marketplace enables wholesale vehicle clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Approximately 17,000 team members help Manheim offer 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $58 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.
