Kyle Petty Charity Ride Winds Through Southeast Iowa
– C.C. Hoffman
Photo: (L to R): Kyle Petty, Morgan Castano Petty (Kyle’s wife and Ride organizer, Jeff Kelderman, Kelly Kelderman; Photo Source: KPCRAA Facebook Page
Southeast Iowa was treated with quite a spectacular motorcade Monday, May 6, 2024. The very large group of riders and chase vehicles entered our area in the late morning, traveling down State Highway 92 into Mahaska County.
The group passed through Oskaloosa and made a stop around 1:30 pm just east of there at Kelderman Manufacturing.
The event was Kyle Petty’s Charity Ride Across America. The ride was founded by Kyle Petty, NASCAE driver (and son of Richard Petty) in 1995. The ride brings celebrities, professionals, fans, and enthusiasts together for several days of motorcycle riding as well as the opportunity to raise money for various charities. Since 2004, the primary beneficiary of the funds has been Victory Junction.
Victory Junction is a camp for children with chronic medical conditions. Founded in 2004 in honor of Kyle Petty’s late son Adam, Victory Junction is located on 84 acres in Randleman, North Carolina. The camp exists to enrich the lives of the children by creating camping experiences that are memorable, fun, empowering, physically safe, and medically sound.
So how did a motorcycle ride come to be one of the primary fundraisers for this and other charities? It all started in 1994 when Kyle and three friends decided to ride their bikes from North Carolina to a NASCAR race at Phoenix International Raceway (in Avondale, Arizona, near Phoenix). Along the way other friends, both new and old, joined, and by the time the group arrived at the track, they had grown to over 30 participants.
Kyle Petty’s Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA) was born from this instance the following year. Since 1995, the organization has hosted a week-long ride across parts of America on an annual basis. This year marks the 28th anniversary of the ride.
According to the KPCRAA website, during those 28 years:
- 48 of 50 states have been toured during the ride.
- 9,100 riders have logged over 12.8 million miles.
- More than $21 million has been contributed to Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
- It takes over $2,500 per week for a child to attend Victory Junction, but each child participates at no cost to them, their family, or insurance.
- Over 115, 000 camp experiences have occurred at Victory Junction.
This year’s ride began in Deadwood, South Dakota on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Overnights in North Platte, NE on May 4th , Omaha, NE, May 5th, Bettendorf, IA, May 6th, Indianapolis, IN, May 7th, Bowling Green, KY, May 8th, Bristol, VA, May 9th, and Randleman, NC, May 10th are included on the route.
Jeff Kelderman, of Kelderman Manufacturing in Oskaloosa, has participated in the ride for many years (since 2002). In that time he has lobbied to get the ride through Oskaloosa and Southeast Iowa. Not only was he successful this year, but one of the day stops occurred at his business location on Highway 92 just east of Osky. Here, all 225 riders stopped for refreshments and a chance to meet fans and followers. After which, the group continued down highway 92 through Sigourney and points beyond on their way to the night stop in Bettendorf.
To follow the Charity and/or the bike ride, see the facebook page or the website (kylepettycharityride.com). Victory Junction can also be reached via their website (victoryjunction.org). Kelderman Manufacturing can be found at kelderman.com.
