CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Riders, start your engines! The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has announced the route for its 14th annual motorcycle ride, to take place July 13 - 20, 2008. NASCAR driver and Charity Ride founder Kyle Petty will lead a field of more than 250 riders as they wind their way from the Midwest to the Deep South in an effort to raise awareness of and funds for Victory Junction Gang Camp and other children's charities.
Riders will depart from Traverse City, Mich., on July 13, making overnight stops in Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Lombard, Ill.; Lexington, Ky.; White Sulfur Springs, W.Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Peachtree City, Ga., before reaching Savannah, Ga., their final destination, on July 19.
Since the Charity Ride's inception in 1995, 5,700 participants have logged more than 7.2 million cumulative motorcycle miles and donated more than $10.5 million to Victory Junction Gang Camp and other charities that support chronically ill children. Petty and his wife, Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., in 2004. The year-round camp serves children, ages 7 to 15, with a variety of health issues that would typically prevent them from attending camp. The camp operates solely on the donations of corporations, organizations and individuals. The Pettys recently announced the opening of a second Victory Junction Gang Camp in Wyandotte County, Kan.
"Pattie and I are constantly amazed and inspired by the dedication of our riders, sponsors and fans," said Petty. "These companies and individuals are truly committed to bettering the lives of deserving children and their families. We're looking forward to another great event -- and more incredible results!"
Chick-fil-A President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy will join Petty on the Charity Ride. This year marks Chick-fil-A's fifth year as the event's title sponsor, and the company has extended its sponsorship agreement through 2009.
"We at Chick-fil-A are grateful for the opportunity to once again be the title sponsor of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride," Cathy said. "Chick-fil-A is proud to be associated with such a worthy cause and is eagerly anticipating another exciting Ride."
Riders will make a pit stop at Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman on July 17 during a camp session designed for children with physical disabilities. As a result of the 2007 Charity Ride's efforts, 80 children will attend this five-day session free of charge.
Fans and spectators along the Charity Ride route can support Victory Junction Gang Camp through the Charity Ride's "Small Change. Big Impact." program. In 2007, donations from the "Small Change. Big Impact." program alone totaled more than $64,000.
Additional sponsors of the 2008 Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America include Coca-Cola, Pilot Travel Centers LLC, Wells Fargo, Manheim, Racing Electronics, Dodge Motorsports, Wincraft Racing and FLUIDYNE Racing Products.
About The Kyle Petty Charity Ride
Led by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America raises awareness of and funds for Victory Junction Gang Camp and other charities supporting chronically ill children. The Charity Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in NASCAR. Now in its 14th year, the Charity Ride has donated more than $10.5 million to children's charities, with 5,700 participants logging more than 7.2 million cumulative motorcycle miles. In 2008, NASCAR celebrities, ride sponsors and motorcycle enthusiasts will travel from Traverse City, Mich. to Savannah, Ga. from July 13-20. www.kylepettycharityride.com
About Victory Junction Gang Camp
The Victory Junction Gang Camp is a not-for-profit organization founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife, Pattie, in honor of their son Adam. Located on 84 acres in Randleman, N.C., the camp opened its doors in 2004 to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound. The Pettys recently announced the opening of a second Victory Junction Gang Camp in Wyandotte County, Kan. www.victoryjunction.org
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Celebrating its 41st year in business, Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc., is the nation's second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain (based on sales), with nearly 1,300 restaurants in 37 states and Washington D.C. In 2007, Chick-fil-A produced record sales of $2.6 billion -- a 16 percent overall increase and an 8.47 percent same-store sales gain that helped extend the chain's streak of consecutive sales gains to 40 years.
Credited with inventing the boneless breast of chicken sandwich and first introducing the chicken nugget concept, Chick-fil-A serves nutritious and freshly prepared food products in mall locations, stand-alone restaurants, drive-thru-only restaurants, Chick-fil-A Dwarf House(R) and Truett's Grill(R) full-service restaurants, and through licensed outlets in college campuses, hospitals, airports, businesses and industrial sites. www.chick-fil-a.com or www.truettcathy.com