In the heartland of American motorsports, where the rumbling sound of engines once defined his Sunday afternoons, 87-year-old Richard “The King” Petty now leads a different kind of charge. The NASCAR veteran whose 200 victories remain historical in the sport’s history, has ditched his famous Plymouth Superbird for a rumbling Harley-Davidson.
In the previous May, the NASCAR Hall of Famer was joined by 250 riders across nine states on the 28th Anniversary of Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, proving that his driving duties extend far beyond the flags and tracks towards compassion and community service.
This year, he’s coming back for the ride that once started as a way of remembering a deceased family member.
The Petty legacy, spanning 75 years of American racing history, has evolved beyond the confines of speedways and victory lanes. The 2024 ride, completed in May, raised whooping $1.8 million for Victory Junction, a camp serving children with chronic medical illnesses. Richard Petty’s participation at 87 years old stands as a testament to his enduring commitment to the cause established in memory of his grandson, Adam Petty, who tragically lost his life in a 2000 practice crash.
“For me, the camp is Adam,” Petty said. “Adam was 19 when his accident happened. He did so much for so many people. We had been on so many motorcycle rides and charity rides, went to so many children’s hospitals, even at that age because of his sponsors. When I go to camp and these kids come out of camp and I see their smile, that’s the Adam Petty smile. These kids are a piece of Adam.” The elder Petty shared that helping the kids heals him, even after 24 years, “You’ll do whatever you can in your power to make sure that child is remembered.”
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is no small undertaking. The previous year’s journey covered more than 2,100 miles across nine states, with 150 motorcycles thundering from Deadwood, South Dakota to Greensboro, North Carolina. The weeklong trek took riders through iconic American landmarks. The itinerary includes Mount Rushmore, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Churchill Downs, and the National Corvette Museum, before culminating at Victory Junction Camp in Randleman, North Carolina.
With a similar spirit and even greater determination, Richard Petty, along with his troupe has once again embarked on the journey to ride for a cause. Looking ahead, the tradition continues across America, scheduled for May 3-9, 2025. The upcoming ride will take a different route through the northeastern United States, with overnight stops planned in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Riders will begin their journey in Traverse City, Michigan, traveling to Detroit, then on to Cleveland, Ohio before reaching Niagara Falls, New York, where they’ll enjoy a rest day. The journey will continue through Corning, New York, and Bedford, Pennsylvania, before concluding in Hot Springs, Virginia.
On a lighter note, KPCR recently posted a video of Cotten Cable Petty driving a dirt bike for the first time. As the post captioned, “We’ve got another future Charity Rider on our hands!” It demonstrates how the Petty lineage is doing its best to pass on philanthropic genes to its younger generations as a part of its pedigree.
For fans and supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of Richard Petty and the charity riders along the route, detailed turn-by-turn directions and fan stop information will be released by the end of March 2025. The enthusiasts can keep an eye on the official social media handles. As “The King” approaches his 88th year, his commitment to this meaningful cause remains unwavering. Petty is indeed inspiring a new generation of NASCAR enthusiasts to follow in his charitable footsteps.
This journey hasn’t been without its losses as well. Last year, in November, Richard Petty honored one such member’s legacy when he wrote in an Instagram post, “Yesterday, we lost a dear member of our #kpcharityride family, Jon Manafort. Jon was a part of the Ride from the very beginning and served on the KPCR board as our Vice President… His loss leaves a huge void in all our lives, but we know he will forever ride with us in spirit.”
Regardless, the ride will not be the only thing Petty will be part of when summer starts.
Richard Petty’s participation in another racing event is announced
With tickets for the 6th annual Velocity Invitational going out, there is two special additions coming to the Sonoma Raceway between June 6th and 8th. Richard Petty and Kyle Petty will be a part of the proceedings, being present for an autograph session along and a Q&A experience for fans. For racing fans, it will be a unique opportunity to interact with one of the biggest racing dynasties in America.
“I’ve heard great things about Velocity Invitational, and I’ve always wanted to get out there and see it for myself. I have some incredible memories at Sonoma Raceway, and I know it’s going to be a great day with the fans,” Petty said while talking about the event.
The Pettys’ presence at the event won’t be the only highlight for fans visiting. The historic stock cars group will also return to the track, a group that has been a massive fan favorite. Some of the cars that will be featured will also be ones Richard Petty raced against back in his day.
Celebrities, race cars, hyper cars, and gourmet food, the event is going to be one of the biggest motorsports festivals in the country.
The post 87 YO Richard “The King” Petty Gets Back Onto His ‘Driving Duty’ as He Calls Everyone to Unite for a Cause appeared first on EssentiallySports.
