More Than Miles: Winston Kelley on the Mission Behind the Kyle Petty Charity Ride
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
(NOTE: This article was originally written by Rafael Rivera, Corporate Communications Specialist at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority)
After more than 3,400 miles across 11 states in nine days, NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley is back home with even more appreciation for the mission behind the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.
This year marked Winston’s seventh full ride, along with three partial rides over the years. For Winston, the journey has never just been about motorcycles or the open road. It’s about the children and families supported through Victory Junction.
“I went on the ride because it touches the heart,” Winston shared. “Riding into the camp, it’s why we do it. We get to have fun, but then you see these kids with huge smiles who are just so happy to be there. That’s what stays with you.”
The 30th anniversary ride stretched more than 3,400 miles over nine days, with 150 motorcycles and nearly 200 riders and a huge support team leaving around 7 a.m. nearly every morning. Winston described some long days and sore muscles but never considered the experience difficult.
“It was worth every single moment of it,” he said. “Those of us who are healthy are so blessed. These kids haven’t always been dealt the best hand in life, yet they are genuinely some of the happiest people you’ll ever meet.”
One of the most emotional moments came on the final day of the ride, when participants rolled into Victory Junction Camp and spent time meeting campers and families. The ride officially concluded with laps around the Charlotte Motor Speedway followed by arrival at the University Hilton, bringing thousands of miles on the road to a meaningful finish close to home.
“They get to do things at camp they normally wouldn’t get to do,” Winston said. “And families never have to pay for it. The ride is one part of it, but it’s also the sponsors and donations that help give these kids and their families the opportunity to have fun together.”
Winston’s connection to the ride and the Petty family runs deep. He emceed both the groundbreaking ceremony and opening day ceremonies for Victory Junction and past Charity Ride events. This year’s ride also carried special meaning personally, as his wife Elaine joined the experience tied to a milestone anniversary for the couple.
“The people on the ride are so welcoming,” Winston said. “You immediately feel like family.”
For Team CRVA, Winston’s participation reflects something bigger than a ride. It represents the power of sports, hospitality and community to create meaningful moments and lasting impact. The NASCAR Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the legends of the sport while also supporting causes that make a real difference for families across the country.
Winston also noted how the ride serves as a reminder of NASCAR’s incredible connection with fans.
“We see these inductees and drivers all the time, so sometimes you can take it for granted,” he said. “But when you see the number of people who come out to support this ride, you realize just how much these drivers and this sport mean to people.”
And for anyone wondering why riders willingly spend days on the road, Winston offered a simple answer.
“If I have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand,” he laughed. “The feeling of riding through the country on a motorcycle is completely different than in a car. You feel everything around you.”
What is Victory Junction?
Victory Junction was founded by the Petty family in honor of Adam Petty to provide life-changing camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions.
Located in Randleman, North Carolina, the camp gives children the chance to experience activities like zip lining, fishing, racing-themed adventures and outdoor fun in a medically safe environment. Families never pay to attend camp thanks to fundraising efforts, sponsors and events like the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.
For many families, Victory Junction offers something priceless: the opportunity to simply have fun together and create lasting memories.
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