NASCAR Driver Kyle Pettys Charity Ride Makes a Pit Stop in Arco

Former NASCAR Driver and Racing Analyst Kyle Petty is on the road again leading more than 175 motorcycles cross country to benefit children with chronic or life threatening illnesses. Summer Joy caught up with them in Arco to talk to Petty and some of his friends including a former NFL great and Heisman Trophy Winner. This week long event started on April in Coeur d'Alene Idaho and will extend 2 100 miles before finishing in Tempe Arizona on May 3rd. We started going to children's hospital and then in 2000 my oldest son was killed in a racing accident so we decided we would build a camp in his memory and that's what Victory Junction is and the ride just keeps that memory going said Kyle Petty a former NASCAR Driver.

The Charity Ride raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical illnesses. Former NFL Player Herschel Walker says it's truely a blessing to be a part of this experience.

Eight years ago I started and I fell in love with it. I've always heard if you take something out of a society you need to put something back in. So this is an opportunity for me to give back a little bit even though the motorcycle does most of the work said Herschel Walker a former NFL Player and Heisman Trophy Winner.

Over the past 19 years the Rider's Charity has raised a total of around $14 million dollars. In the last nine years almost 8 thousand children have attended Victory Junction their mission is to provide life changing camp experiences that are exciting and empowering while being in a safe and medically sound environment that is always free of charge.

Just to keep it going we never have a goal. We just raise as much as we can send as many kids to camp and then it's been a a successful year. If we send two kids to camp or if we send 200 it's good added Petty.

Spectators visitors and residents are encouraged to visit one of the daily scheduled fuel stops or overnight locations to show support for the riders and also contribute to the Charity Ride's Small Change Big Impact and while you're there you can check out some of these timeless bikes. There were even riders from Idaho Falls who met up with them in Arco so they could ride back with them to show their support.

God didn't create this world for us he created it for himself. We are here to help him and I think once we have had an opportunity to store up our breads like I have had the opportunity to store up my bread you got to reach out and help someone else. I think that's what life is all about that's the reason I think why this is such a beautiful country because we always wnat to help others. This was an opportunity for me to help someone. The Kyle and the whole Petty family did a great job with Vicotry Junctino and there's a lot of people involved here and I think it's our responsibility to give back added Walker.

Thier next overnight stop is in Jackson Hole Wyoming. If you want more information on how to give or get involved with Victory Junction visit www.victoryjunction.org and below is a list of the overnight stop locations on Kyle Petty's Charity Ride Across America.

April 29 Jackson Wy.April 30 Green River Wy.May 1 Grand Junction Co. May 2 Durango Co. May 3 Tempe Az.

For more details visit www.kylepettycharityride.com

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