The Kyle Petty Charity Ride hit a major milestone this year. The annual motorcycle ride featuring hundreds of participants raised $1.4 million while exploring the northeast.
According to a press release, numerous people helped the Kyle Petty Charity Ride reach this milestone. A portion of the $1.4 million came from sponsors, organizations, and the participants of the Charity Ride. Another portion came from fans along the route who greeted the riders at various stops.
All of the funds raised went to Victory Junction, the Petty family camp that serves children with chronic medical illnesses. These funds directly provide opportunities for these children to attend the camp. The funds also support building projects and maintenance programs.
Photo credit: Kyle Petty Charity Ride
The list of sponsors included Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Dodge Law, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, Petty Family Foundation, Wiley X, Prevost, Blue-Emu, and Goody's.
"The Ride is something that I look forward to each year, and to have the ability to create memories and lifelong connections with our riders is something that is extra special," Petty said in a press release. "This year's theme was the 'Tour of Wonders,' and we hit some incredible wonders along the way.
"From wrapping around the scenic views of Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, to the iconic Niagara Falls, and finishing the Ride through the mountains of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia, the natural backdrop to this year's route was breathtaking. We also made time for our riders to explore many of the places we simply passed by in previous years, such as the Henry Ford Museum, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Corning Museum of Glass.
"To see so many fans at each of our stops was truly amazing, and their contributions to Victory Junction mean the world to all of us and help send even more kids to camp each year."
The Charity Ride took place May 3-9. The participants covered more than 1,400 miles while traveling from Michigan to Virginia. The featured numerous celebrity guests, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty; drivers Max Papis, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace; former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; great-grandson of William A. Davidson, one of the Harley-Davidson founders, VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson; and TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood.