CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America by leading the longest route in the ride’s history.
The ride will travel a true corner-to-corner route across the United States – starting in Seattle, Wash., on May 3 and ending in Key Largo, Fla., on May 11.
On this milestone anniversary route, Petty will lead 250 participants, including more than 30 new riders, through 11 states in nine days. Presented for the seventh year in a row by Manheim, the ride will travel nearly 3,700 miles to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
Traveling from Washington to Florida, this year’s trek will offer a variety of incredible scenic views. From the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the red rock terrain in Utah, to the Colorado hot springs and Rocky Mountains, to the North Central Plains of Texas and the Louisiana bayou, and onto the Everglades and sunny Florida beaches, Petty believes this 25th Anniversary Ride will be the ride of a lifetime.
“This year’s route is special because we’re bringing back a few of our favorite Ride stops from past years, like Glenwood Springs, Santa Fe and Childress, but we’re also adding in a bunch of new places that our Riders will love,” said Petty. “I may be biased, but I believe this year’s Ride will be the best ever. We’ve gone north to south and west to east, but never corner to corner. Seattle to the Keys is a bucket list ride and I can’t wait to knock it off my list and help our Riders do the same.”
Spectators along the route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s nine overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia and make donations.
25th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
Day 1, Friday, May 3 – Seattle, Wash. to Ontario, Ore.
Day 2, Saturday, May 4 – Ontario, Ore. to Orem-Provo, Utah
Day 3, Sunday, May 5 – Orem-Provo, Utah to Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Day 4, Monday, May 6 – Glenwood Springs, Colorado to Santa Fe, N.M.
Day 5, Tuesday, May 7 – Santa Fe, N.M. to Childress, Texas
Day 6, Wednesday, May 8 – Childress, Texas to Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Day 7, Thursday, May 9 – Shreveport-Bossier City, La. to Pensacola Beach, Fla.
Day 8, Friday, May 10 – Pensacola Beach, Fla. to Tampa, Fla.
Day 9, Saturday, May 11 – Tampa, Fla. to Key Largo, Fla.
“We have loved being a part of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America for the last seven years, and we’re thrilled to be back again as a sponsor,” said Grace Huang, president of Manheim. “Giving back is at the heart of what we do, and our team members at Manheim Seattle and Manheim Tampa in particular are excited to welcome Riders and the community to their locations in support of this worthwhile cause.”
Because of the Ride, 8,185 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. Last year alone, the Ride raised $1.3 million and sent 100 children to Camp. 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.
Among the celebrities participating in this year’s Ride are 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 One, 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.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the Ride started. What started as just a few friends riding motorcycles to race tracks around the country has turned into something so much bigger than I could’ve ever imagined,” said Petty. “Because of our sponsors, fans and the people who participate in this Ride, whether they’re veteran participants or first-timers, so many deserving kids get to have the time of their life at Victory Junction each year.”