News for May 8th 2010
For the past 16 years former NASCAR driver and current NASCAR TV analyst Kyle Petty has led a caravan of motorcycles across the United States.
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride started in Indian Wells, Calif., and will end in Randleman, N.C., to raise money and awareness for the Victory Junction Gang Camp for chronically ill children, making numerous stops along the way.
On Friday the caravan of about 200 motorcycles stopped at Barber Motorsports Park for a quick lunch and a tour of the vintage motorcycle museum.
“It’s about like 500 miles at Talladega,” Petty said after climbing off his bike after driving in from Philadelphia, Miss.
“Sending kids to camp at Victory Junction is what this is all about,” Petty said of the event that has raised more than $13 million in the previous 15 years. “Raising funds, raising awareness for the camp. But when you get to hang out with this many people who are just motorcycle enthusiasts, want to give back to the community and are willing to give a week of their time and bust up and down the highway to raise money for it, that’s a big deal.”
Joining the ride was Heisman Trophy winner and NFL great Herschel Walker, a self-described “avid motorcycle rider.”
“I learned a long time ago that you’ve got to give back,” he said, explaining his participation.
Of course, it wasn’t difficult to persuade him to jin anything related to motorcycles.
“I grew up on motorcycles and collect motorcycles and cars,” he said.
It was Walker’s first trip to Barber, a track that was made for bike racing. There were bikes out on the track while the Kyle Petty group was having lunch.
“I’d love for somebody to give me a chance to ride one of those,” Walker said with a smile.
Edited: May 8th, 2010
Owner Richard Childress says he’s close to an agreement that will keep Kevin Harvick with RCR beyond this season.
Childress said he hoped to have negotiations with the Sprint Cup points leader wrapped up before the series heads to Charlotte, N.C., later this month for the Coca-Cola 600.
Harvick has driven for RCR since 2001 following the death of Dale Earnhardt. He’s won 12 times, including two weeks ago at Talladega.
Harvick has a 10-point lead over four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson heading into this weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway. When asked about a pending deal, Harvick said he was only worried about Saturday night’s Southern 500.
Edited: May 8th, 2010