15th Annual Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America – Kansas City, Kansas

According to Skip, Kyle and his family and crew were scheduled to stop at a Conoco just east of Topeka on I-70, where we were to hook up with them and ride to 8205 Riverview in Kansas City, Kansas, a 71-acre wooded site donated by the Unified Board of Commissioners of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. At that time I wasn't familiar with Victory Junction or Kyle Petty's involvement in this wonderful children's charity. As it turns out, Kyle's 19-year-old son Adam, who was tragically killed during a practice session almost nine years ago to the day we were to meet up with them, was the brainchild of the original Victory Junction that opened in 2004 in Randleman, North Carolina on land that was donated by his grandfather, the legendary driver Richard Petty. The more I found out about the camp that was to be built here in Kansas City, the more excited I got about being involved in such a meaningful and historical event.

On Wednesday, May 13 I met Skip and Carrie in the parking lot of the Community America Ballpark (better known as the Kansas City T-Bones stadium). We were the first ones there and were soon joined by Terri, John, Staci, Superdave, Sally, and Daniel Gilyeat, who as you may remember was the recipient of the Cycle Connections' Extreme Bike Makeover Project that we presented to him back in July 2008. As soon as everyone was fueled up we headed west on I-70 toward our rendezvous point.

There were TV crews and media everywhere, and it wasn't long before the bikes and support vehicles started rolling in and filling up the Conoco parking lot. It was great having the opportunity to meet Kyle and his wife Patty, and I have to say they are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. They took the time to talk with everyone one-on-one, sign autographs and pose for photos with whoever asked. They also took time out of their busy schedule to be interviewed by each and every TV station that turned out for the event. In my opinion, the entire Petty family is one class act!

After the entourage of bikes had filled up at the pumps and everyone enjoyed some free Coca-Cola products (one of their major sponsors), we got on our bikes and headed to the groundbreaking event. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ride at the back of the group next to Kyle the entire way to the site. There was a huge tent setup at the site where everyone enjoyed a nice lunch provided by none-other-than Chick-fil-A. Stripe rode out from Kansas City to meet us there, and we were lucky enough to sit at a table next to former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker who was on his fourth Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride. I was also surprised to find out that Herschel owns a large collection of motorcycles and vintage cars.

After a few presentations inside the tent, everyone moved out to a large portable stage for the main presentations. After a touching tribute by Kyle and Patty in memory of their son Adam, the lineup of speakers and presenters was quite impressive, including Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Joe Reardon, Franklin Graham (son of evangelist Billy Graham), Victory Junction Midwest President Mike Lepore, and others. After the presentations, everyone donned their white hardhats and headed over to an area where several gold shovels were stuck in the ground for the formal groundbreaking ceremony. Once Kyle, Patty, and other key members of the event were in place, everyone picked up their shovels and dug into the ground amidst a flurry of flashing cameras and applause. After the ceremony it was back to the stage for a live auction before everyone headed out.

This was an event I will never forget, and I want to personally thank Skip and Carrie for inviting me to attend. Also make sure to put the Ride for the Victory on your calendars, which will take place on Sunday June 7 with all proceeds going to the Victory Junction Midwest.

For more information on Victory Junction go to www.victoryjunction.org.

By Mike Schweder

Photos by Mike Schweder and Stripe