Richard “The King” Petty, 87, is leading a different kind of charge in the heartland of American motorsports, where his Sunday afternoons were once defined by the rumbling sound of engines. The NASCAR veteran, whose 200 victories are still historic in the sport’s history, has traded in his iconic Plymouth Superbird for a rumbling Harley-Davidson. In May of last year, 250 riders from nine states joined the NASCAR Hall of Famer on the 28th Anniversary of Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, demonstrating that his driving responsibilities go far beyond the flags and tracks to include compassion and community service.
This year, he will return for the journey that began as a memorial to a family member who passed away. Over the course of 75 years of American racing history, the Petty legacy has expanded beyond the boundaries of racetracks and victory lanes. A staggering $1.8 million was raised for Victory Junction, a camp for kids with long-term medical conditions, by the May 2024 ride. The fact that Richard Petty is still involved at the age of 87 is evidence of his unwavering dedication to the cause started in honor of his grandson, Adam Petty, who tragically died in a practice crash in 2000.
“Adam is the camp for me,” Petty remarked. Adam was 19 years old at the time of his accident. He helped a great number of people. Even at that age, his sponsors had taken us on numerous charity drives and motorbike rides, as well as to numerous children’s hospitals. The Adam Petty smile is what I see when these kids emerge from camp when I visit. Adam is a part of these children. Even after 24 years, the elder Petty said that assisting the children still brings him healing, saying, “You’ll do whatever you can in your power to make sure that child is remembered.” It’s no small feat, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.
Last year, 150 motorcycles thundered from Deadwood, South Dakota to Greensboro, North Carolina, covering more than 2,100 miles across nine states. During the week-long journey, bikers passed by famous American sites. Before arriving at Victory Junction Camp in Randleman, North Carolina, the itinerary stops at the National Corvette Museum, Churchill Downs, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Mount Rushmore. 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.
“We’ve got another future Charity Rider on our hands!” read the caption of the photo. It illustrates how the Petty family is making every effort to impart charitable traits to its offspring as a component of its heritage. By the end of March 2025, comprehensive turn-by-turn directions and information on fan stops will be made available to supporters and fans who want to see Richard Petty and the charity riders along the route. The official social media accounts can be monitored by the fans. As “The King” approaches his 88th year, his commitment to this meaningful cause remains unshakable. In fact, Petty is encouraging a new generation of NASCAR fans to continue his altruistic endeavors.
There have also been losses on this road. “Yesterday, we lost a dear member of our #kpcharityride family, Jon Manafort,” Richard Petty said in an Instagram post last November, honoring the legacy of one such member. Jon served as our Vice President on the KPCR board and was involved with the Ride from the start. Although we know he will always be with us in spirit, his passing leaves a great hole in all of our lives. In any case, Petty will be involved in more than just the ride when summer arrives.
It is revealed that Richard Petty will be competing in another race
Between June 6 and 8, the Sonoma Raceway will welcome two special additions, and tickets for the 6th annual Velocity Invitational are already being distributed. Both Richard Petty and Kyle Petty will participate in the event by signing autographs and answering fan questions. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for racing enthusiasts to engage with one of America’s greatest racing families. “I’ve always wanted to visit Velocity Invitational and experience it for myself because I’ve heard nothing but positive things about it. Speaking about the event, Petty remarked, “I know it’s going to be a great day with the fans, and I have some incredible memories at Sonoma Raceway.”
The Pettys’ attendance won’t be the only reason people come to the event. A huge fan favorite, the antique stock cars category will also make a comeback to the circuit. Some of the vehicles that will be on display are also ones that Richard Petty used to compete against. It will be one of the largest racing festivals in the nation, complete with celebrities, race cars, hyper cars, and fine dining.
