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> Little League Online > Media > Little League News Archive > 2010 > May - August > Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver and Owner, to be Enshrined in Little League Museum Hall of Excellence

Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver and Owner, to be Enshrined in Little League Museum Hall of Excellence

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
August 12, 2010

For the past 15 years, Mr. Petty has hosted the Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America that welcomes 200 riders each year on a 3,800-mile motorcycle trip across the country with the proceeds benefitting different charities. Today, Charity Ride benefits are earmarked for Victory Junction Gang Camp, in Randleman, N.C., that Mr. Petty opened with his wife, Pattie, in June 2004 to honor their son, Adam.

Adam, the first fourth-generation driver in NASCAR history, perished in a crash at the New Hampshire Speedway practicing for the 2000 Busch Series race.

The Victory Junction Camp is a year-round camp that gives children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses an opportunity to experience camping in a medically-sound environment.

Mr. Petty stresses the importance of teamwork to all the volunteers and campers who attend the camp.

“The kids that come to camp have never played organized sports because of their illnesses,” Mr. Petty said. “They are so ill they can’t participate under normal circumstances. It’s fun to watch them become part of a team for the first time.”

Becoming part of the team at Victory Junction means playing baseball on the indoor baseball field built by NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, another former Little Leaguer.

“Playing sports is a great opportunity and life lesson because you are thrown in with a diverse group of, not only great athletes, but also great people,” Mr. Petty, a veteran of 29 years in professional motorsports, said. “While sports are a great social experience, education is the most important thing. You can play sports, but you have to get that education.”

Mr. Petty’s sportsmanship, compassion and strong teamwork skills have earned him many awards over the years, including the 1998 and 2000 NASCAR USG Person of the Year; NASCAR Illustrated’s Person of the Year in 1999 and 2000; and the National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Award in 2004. In 2004, Mr. Petty also was recognized by USA Weekend Magazine as its Most Caring Athlete, along with fellow driver Tony Stewart.

The Petty family was named the 2000 “Persons of the Year” by NASCAR Illustrated for its charitable work. They were also recently honored at the 2009 “Evening of R-E-S-P-E-C-T” by the Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation and the family of the late, legendary entertainer Otis Redding.

A few months ago, Mr. Petty and the other participants of his motorcycle ride across the country, stopped in Kansas City, Kansas for the groundbreaking for their second Victory Junction Gang facility.

Mr. Petty, who is a member of the Turner Network Television (TNT) broadcast team this year, is not driving a race car or overseeing a team for the first time in 30 years.

Mr. Petty and his wife of 32 years, reside in Nashville, Tenn. They have two children, son, Austin, and daughter, Montgomery Lee.

Mr. Petty will attend the Little League Baseball World Series and be present for his induction in the Little League Museum Hall of Excellence. The induction ceremony will take place on Aug. 29 prior to the World Championship game which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

Members of Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum Hall of Excellence
() – year of induction