Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will stop in Paso
Riders in the 2014 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America are greeted by fans across the route.
NASCAR greats will visit Estrella Warbirds Museum on May 2
The 21st annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will make its first stop after it departs from Santa Cruz on Saturday, May 2 at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The museum will be open free to spectators during the visit.
The ride, led by NBC Sports NASCAR analyst and former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, will stretch 2,500 miles from Santa Cruz to Branson, Mo., from May 2 to May 8. Two hundred bikers, including NASCAR Hall of Fame member and seven-time champion Richard Petty; NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth; NASCAR legends Harry Gant and Donnie Allison; former NFL great Herschel Walker; Harley-Davidson, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich; NBC Sports NASCAR analyst Rick Allen; and co-host of History Channel’s Top Gear America and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood, will join Petty in raising funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
“Each year, we select a route that’s full of breathtaking scenery, while also allowing us to spread the word and build excitement around our mission along the way,” Petty said. “Year after year, the ride creates lasting memories for our riders, most importantly, it provides life-changing opportunities for children at Victory Junction.”
Spectators, visitors and locals along the route are encouraged to attend one of the ride’s eight overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia or make a donation to Victory Junction. In Paso Robles, Estrella Warbirds member Rick Brant said the group will stop at the museum at approximately 10 a.m. when the riders will be given a tour of the museum and then lunch.
The 2015 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Schedule:
- Day 1, Saturday, May 2 – Santa Cruz to Bakersfield
- Day 2, Sunday, May 3 – Bakersfield to Tonopah, Nev.
- Day 3, Monday, May 4 – Tonopah, Nev. to Bryce Canyon, Utah
- Day 4, Tuesday, May 5 – Bryce Canyon, Utah to Moab, Utah
- Day 5, Wednesday, May 6 – Moab, Utah to Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Day 6, Thursday, May 7 – Colorado Springs, Colo. to Hutchinson, Kan.
- Day 7, Friday, May 8 – Hutchinson, Kan. to Branson, Mo.
According to a press release from the charity ride, as a result of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, 7,815 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. The camp has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam. Since its inception, more than 7,500 riders have logged 11.1 million miles and raised more than $16 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
“When Kyle started this ride 21 years ago, I don’t think any of us realized just how special it would become,” Kyle’s father, Richard Petty, said. “Riding across our beautiful country on two wheels with great friends and family is incredible, but knowing you’re doing it to help others makes it the ride of a lifetime.”
