NASCAR racing legends makes a pit stop in LeRoy

Kyle Petty (center) took a photo with members of the Illinois State Police force during a pit stop in LeRoy. (Photo courtesy: Scott Miller/WJBC)

By Blake Haas 

LEROY – A NASCAR racing legend made a pit stop in McLean County Tuesday morning as part of the 28th annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. 

The cross-country motorcycle ride, led by Kyle Petty and his dad, Richard Petty, stopped at the Love’s Travel Stop in LeRoy on their way to Indianapolis, Ind. 

“My oldest son, Adam, was killed in a racing accident in 2000. We had started the ride before that; we went to children’s hospitals and helped families pay their medical expenses. 

After his accident, we decided to build a camp really quick. All the money from the ride started going to the camp to build the camp. Once kids come, then all the money goes to pay for kids to go to camp.” 

The annual ride travels to raise awareness and funds for Victory Junction, a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening medical illnesses. 

Kyle and his dad, Richard, signed autographs and took photos with fans at the stop. 

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]

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