Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.

Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–On May 3, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will kick off its 20th anniversary ride in Carlsbad at the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa, located at 1 Ponto Road.

The local community is invited to help send off former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty and more than 200 Charity Ride participants, including several celebrity riders. The Ride will embark on its first ever coast-to-coast tour, traveling 2,800 miles to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp created by the Petty family to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

Prior to the ride’s departure at 6:45 a.m., locals will have the opportunity to take photos and receive autographs, meet the riders and also contribute to the Ride’s “Small Change. Big Impact.” program, which accepts donations at local stops along the Ride’s route.

Ride participants include NASCAR legends Richard Petty, Geoff Bodine and Harry Gant, former NFL great Herschel Walker, Fox News contributor Col. Allen West, and co-host of History Channel’s Top Gear America and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood.

From Carlsbad, the 20th anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride will travel east, making stops in Tucson, Ariz.; Las Cruces, N.M.; Midland, Texas; Austin, Texas; Beaumont, Texas; New Orleans; Tallahassee, Fla.; and finishing in Daytona Beach on May 10.

“Location is everything when you’re trying to plan a coast-to-coast tour like this,” said Petty. “From the oceanfront resort to the quaint atmosphere of Carlsbad – we couldn’t have selected a more perfect starting point to kick off our 20th Anniversary tour.”

Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the KPCRAA raises awareness and funds for Victory Junction. The KPCRAA is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country.  Now in its 20th year, more than 7,330 riders have logged more than 10.7 million cumulative motorcycle miles and donated nearly $15 million to Victory Junction Camp and other children’s charities.

Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by the Petty family in honor of their son Adam, the Camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Victory Junction offers programs for a range of disease groups and maintains strong relationships with more than 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. 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 19,000 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.

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