Richard Petty will mark a milestone year for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America by auctioning the hat he wears at the end of the 2026 event. The seven-time champion announced, as the 30th anniversary of the annual cross-country motorcycle ride was formally unveiled at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, led by former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, has raised more than $23 million since its inception in 1995. It is run to raise awareness for Victory Junction, a charity founded by Kyle in honor of his late son, Adam Petty. The camp is dedicated to child care and provides exciting experiences for children with chronic medical conditions.
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The Richard Petty hat auction is being framed as a special commemoration for the Ride’s three-decade run and a high-value fundraising item for Victory Junction. Veteran reporter Holly Cain shared the update on Sunday on X, writing:
“@therichardpetty just announced he will auction off the hat he is wearing at the conclusion of this year’s @KPCharityRide ! Marking 30 years on The Ride!”
This year’s anniversary edition begins May 1 at Sonoma Raceway and concludes May 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The ride will pass through 11 states with overnight stops in Ely, Moab, Colorado Springs, Wichita, Springfield, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Asheville before reaching Charlotte.
The charity ride is set to carry 150 motorcycles over 3,400 miles across nine days. Organizers say the route is historic this year, riding segments of Highway 50 and parts of Route 66, and will include stops at landmarks and partner sites, such as Bass Pro Shops’ original Springfield store, Graceland, the Coker Museum in Chattanooga, and the famous Tail of the Dragon through the Appalachians.
Besides Kyle and Richard Petty, those expected to participate are former NASCAR drivers Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace, along with several industry executives and media personalities.
The Ride’s logistics are supported by a large volunteer and partner effort: medical staff and paramedics, retired motor officer marshals, a media team, luggage, and hotel crews. Corporate partners such as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, Racing Electronics, and others will provide operational and promotional backing.
Kyle Petty reflects on 30 years of the Charity Ride Across America
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America began in 1995 and has become a successful fundraising effort for Victory Junction. This year’s itinerary intentionally mirrors aspects of the original route, starting in Sonoma and ending in Charlotte, and adds cultural touchstones to mark America’s 250th anniversary and the centennials of Highway 50 and Route 66.
Kyle Petty’s team has confirmed that the nine-day schedule, celebrity participants, and logistics support are in place. Applications for this year’s ride filled in under 72 hours. Petty framed the year’s significance in a statement.
“The reason I am so excited about this year’s Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is because this is our 30th year,” Petty said. “America 250 – the anniversary of our great country’s independence, the 100th anniversary of Highway 50, the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ the 100th anniversary of Route 66, another iconic highway. There is just so much to celebrate this year. The places we are stopping, Bass Pro Shops, Coker Museum, Graceland, riding the Dragon, just like the kid’s book says, ‘Oh the places you’ll go!’ I feel like a kid and I’m ready to do it.”
Spectators along the route and donors who cannot attend can follow the event and donation details through the Ride’s social channels.
Edited by Parag Jain
