Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Announces 30th Anniversary Ride Route

The 30th Anniversary Ride will take place from May 1 – May 9, 2026, starting in Sonoma, California, and ending in Charlotte, North Carolina, crossing 11 states in just nine days.

 

Former NASCAR driver and current racing analyst Kyle Petty officially announced the complete route and overnight stops for the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA). For the milestone edition, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will truly cross the United States, starting in Sonoma, California, on May 1, 2026, and concluding in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 9, 2026.

 

The 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be book-ended by trips to two iconic Speedway Motorsports (SM) racetracks, Sonoma Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, and will see Petty lead roughly 150 motorcycles over 3,400 miles across 11 states in just nine days to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions. Since 1995, more than 9,575 riders have logged 13.3 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $23 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

 

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will ride historic Highway 50, the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ and parts of the original Route 66, both of which are celebrating their Centennial in 2026. The Ride is working closely with America 250 to highlight iconic stops along the way, and contribute to the “Our American Story,” program in which stories of everyday Americans will be recorded for posterity.

 

The Ride will also make stops at the original Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri; tour Elvis Presley’s home and museum Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee; explore the Coker Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee; ride the famous 318-curve and 11-mile Dragon through the Appalachian Mountains; visit Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina; capped off with a trip to Victory Junction before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

“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.”

 

Rutledge Wood, NASCAR Race Mom and Kyle Petty 2014 Carlsbad KPCR
Spectators and Race fans along the 2026 route will have loads of fun! 

 

Spectators and race fans along the 2026 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s nine overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia, collect autographs and make donations to Victory Junction.

 

The 2008 KPCRAA took us from Traverse City, MI to Savannah, GA, with some incredible stops along the way. We lapped Road America, visited the new Harley-Davidson Museum and even had a talent show! pic.twitter.com/IuEPwjftH5

— KylePettyCharityRide (@KPCharityRide) February 20, 2026

Full 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:

• Day 1, Friday, May 1 – Sonoma, CA to Ely, NV
• Day 2, Saturday, May 2 – Ely, NV to Moab, UT
• Day 3, Sunday, May 3 – Moab, UT to Colorado Springs, CO
• Day 4, Monday, May 4 – Colorado Springs, CO to Wichita, KS
• Day 5, Tuesday, May 5 – Wichita, KS to Springfield, MO
• Day 6, Wednesday, May 6 – Springfield, MO to Memphis, TN
• Day 7, Thursday, May 7 – Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN
• Day 8, Friday, May 8 – Chattanooga, TN to Asheville, NC
• Day 9, Saturday, May 9 – Asheville, NC to Charlotte, NC

The start and end points for the 30th Anniversary Ride also replicates the first route taken by Kyle Petty and friends during the initial Ride in 1995. The first Ride kicked off May 8, 1995, following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, and wrapped up in Charlotte eight days later.

 

Among the celebrities participating in this milestone 30th Anniversary Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty; NASCAR Hall of Famer and NASCAR Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth; NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton; former NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace; former Formula 1, Champ Car, and NASCAR driver Max Papis; former IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand; TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood; and great-grandson of William A. Davidson, one of the Harley-Davidson founders, VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson.

 

Since the inaugural year in 1995, the KPCRAA has had 10 total NASCAR Hall of Fame members and two Landmark Award winners participate in the Ride including: Richard Petty, David Pearson, Terry Labonte, Ray Evernham, Robert Yates, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Herschel McGriff, Donnie Allison, Harry Gant, NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, and NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France.

“Once you go on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, you become part of the Charity Ride family,” Petty said. “It’s hard to explain to somebody that doesn’t understand it. We have around 50 people who have gone 20 years or more on this Ride.

 

“This year we have 150 motorcycles going with us, and we still had to turn people away. It is the hardest thing to tell people it didn’t work out for this year’s Ride.” he said. “We tell those people to come back next year, get on the list, and we will look at those people first. We have two doctors and two nurses that go with us, paramedics that follow the bikes, retired Highway Patrol motor officers who act as our Ride Motor Marshals, we have a hotel and luggage team, a media team, Coca-Cola sends a team and truck with products, Harley-Davidson sends a truck and technicians – there are an additional 30+ people that go with us just to make sure we can ride every day. The level of commitment from our team, our valued partners and many volunteers is really something special.”

  

source: Kyle Petty Charity Ride Media

Eiki Koga To Make NASCAR Jr. Late Model Debut

Youngest Japanese Driver With Wilson Motorsports At Madera Speedway

 

Ten-year-old Japanese driver Eiki Koga will make his race debut in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model  on March 14 at Madera Speedway, supported by Wilson Motorsports, as he begins his journey toward achieving his dream of becoming a NASCAR Cup Series driver.

 

In addition, Eiki has signed as a development driver with Fast Track Racing.

 

Andy Hillenburg, a two-time Daytona winner, will oversee Eiki’s management and guide him on his path to becoming a NASCAR driver.

 

“I’m very excited to take my first step toward becoming a NASCAR driver in the United States with Wilson Motorsports”, stated Eiki. “I would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their support with this race opportunity.”

 

“I am also deeply grateful to Mr. Hojo and Mr. Takahashi of Team Blute, who have supported me in every way since I first started kart racing. Thanks to their continued support, I was given this amazing opportunity.” Eiki Koga

 

“Thank you to everyone for believing in me. I’ll give it my best! Eiki Koga

 

I’m excited to make my Junior Late Model debut this spring!! I get to race 8 times at Madera Speedway in California, my schedule is below! Can’t wait for this new opportunity!!😎💪🏻

Madera JLM Schedule:
• March 14th
• April 11th
• May 16th
• June 13th
• July 11th
• August… pic.twitter.com/tBW1HHXwxt

— Brexton Busch (@brextonbusch) January 20, 2026

“We are very excited to announce that Eiki Koga will be driving for Wilson Motorsports in the Junior Late Model division at Madera Speedway. Eiki will be driving alongside his teammate, Brexton Busch. We are looking forward to watching both of our young drivers develop throughout the year.” Team Owner, Charlie Wilson

 

 

source: Takuma Koga Facebook

Finalists Chosen for Inaugural FAT Racing Shootout

Contest created by Rob Smedley to offer a funded season in British Formula 4 to a driver from a humble background

 

The finalists have been selected for the inaugural shootout for a scheme created by former Formula 1 engineer Rob Smedley to offer a British F4 campaign to an underfunded driver.

 

Smedley first revealed the plans in 2023 which initially featured a series of karting competitions around the world where all of the participants race in arrive-and-drive electric karts in a bid to try to democratise motorsport and enable talented drivers from less privileged backgrounds the chance to shine.

 

These events formed part of the FAT Karting League, from which world finals were held to help select the drivers for the FAT Racing shootout.

 

Two finalists were automatically chosen from the world finals: American Shea Aldrich, who won the Junior Heavy class, and Briton Ellis McKenzie, who topped the Junior Light division.

 

They will be joined in the shootout by two wildcard drivers who also impressed during the world finals. Scotland-based South African Monde-Jnr Konini was a runner-up while American Jackson Wolny was third in the Junior Heavy final.

 

They will now all take part in a two-stage shootout to determine who receives the fully-funded seat on this year’s British F4 grid.

 

The first phase will take place at FAT Racing’s UK headquarters and will involve simulator, fitness and media skills assessments, before the finalists will then head to the Guadix circuit in Spain, where they will get behind the wheel of F4 machinery.

 

“This is a historic moment for us, but more importantly, it’s a statement of intent,” explained Smedley.

 

“This has taken years of relentless work, belief and refusal to accept the status quo.

 

“Today, we are crystallising a real pathway from the FAT Karting League into single-seater racing that is based on talent, performance and capability — not on who can afford to pay their way forward.

 

“For too long, motorsport has filtered out exceptional ability simply because of budget. That has to change.

 

“Talent deserves opportunity, not exclusion, and we’re proud to be building a system that finally puts ability first.”

 

Smedley’s FAT Karting League co-founder Ferdi Porsche added: “The shootout is the next step in our mission to create a truly meritocratic pipeline all the way to the top of the sport.

 

“By removing financial roadblocks and pairing that with the technical expertise of our engineers, we’re ensuring that anyone gets a shot at becoming the next world champion, regardless of their background.”

 

 

 

 

source: Autosport Media

Kevin Harvick hits Son Keelan with Wake-Up Call

Epic Battle in CARS Tour West Season Opener

 

Keelan Harvick will one day have his day in the sun; Saturday at Tucson Speedway was not the time nor the place. His father, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, reminded him that his “maiden voyage is over.”

 

The Harvicks headlined the field for the CARS Tour West Pro Late Model class season opener at Tucson Speedway. Keelan and Kevin banged doors and traded paint late in the race, the 13-year-old initiating it and the 50-year-old ending it. The elder Harvick took the checkered flag with Keelan coming in second, making it a father/son 1-2 finish.

 

“It got a little physical, but I was like, ‘You know what, buddy, you’ve moved me out of the way today, your maiden voyage is over, you’re gonna get the bumper back.’ I’m glad he didn’t wreck, but I would have been fine with that, too, today,” Kevin Harvick told Short Track Scene. “It was fun. Hopefully the crowd enjoyed it, it’s fun to be in Victory Lane.”

 

It was an entertaining duel between father and son, one of many we could see as Keelan Harvick continues to rise through the ranks of motorsports. Keelan Harvick put up a fight but came up just short going up against an experienced wheelman in his dad, a 60-time Cup Series winner.

 

“I had him the first time and we kind of got hung together there off of [Turn] 4 door-to-door and it kind of shot me down the racetrack just a little bit, and I didn’t get a great entry into [Turn] 1,” Kevin Harvick said. “I lost that battle there and the second time, I think he thought I was gonna roll the top or he thought I was at the top and tried to cross me over, I don’t remember exactly what happened right there. He didn’t get there, and then he moved me in the next corner. From there, it was game on.”

 

Pole sitter @KeelanHarvick breaks down his early battle with Colton Hale and finishing second to his dad, @KevinHarvick, in @CARSTourWest Pro Late Models at Tucson Speedway.@ST_Scene | #SoundGear125 pic.twitter.com/cd102y5Ctq

— Rence Brown (@rencethefence) January 18, 2026

Keelan Harvick really wanted to beat his dad. That being said, he enjoyed the battle.

 

“It was really fun,” Keelan Harvick said. “Hate that I couldn’t win but still really fun racing him.”

 

 

 

source: ON3 Media

Former Quarter Midget Drivers secure championships in NASCAR Truck Series & NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025

Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota and
Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet.

 

In a historic culmination of grassroots racing talent rising to the national stage, two former quarter-midget competitors have captured the championships in the 2025 seasons of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, marking a major milestone for the short-track developmental ranks.

 

 

In the Truck Series, rising star Corey Heim (formerly a standout in quarter-midget competition) clinched the 2025 title after a season of dominant performance, including multiple wins, poles and consistent top-ten finishes. Heim out of GA raced quarter midgets growing up, moving quickly into NASCAR higher ranks all leading to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion in 2025.

 

Corey began racing quarter midgets at a young age, competing in local and regional events. Like many professional NASCAR drivers, these early experiences taught him car control, racecraft, and discipline behind the wheel. After success in quarter midgets, he moved up through Legends cars, Super Late Models, and ARCA Menards Series competition. Heim has since become a standout in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving for TRICON Garage (Toyota) and earning multiple wins, poles, and championship contention.

 

 

Simultaneously, in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly called the Xfinity Series), Jesse Love, whose early career also began in quarter-midgets, secured the 2025 driver’s championship. Love, who is NASCAR's youngest champion, raced quarter midgets early on in his career, followed by USAC Midgets, legend cars, and others.

 

Jesse Love started racing quarter midgets at around age five, competing in the Baylands Quarter Midget Association in Northern California. He quickly stood out for his speed and consistency, winning numerous races and championships at a young age. His success in quarter midgets set the stage for rapid advancement through the ranks of youth motorsports — including USAC Midgets, Micro Sprints, and Late Models. Love went on to become one of the youngest winners and champions in the ARCA Menards Series, and by 2024–2025, he was racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing.

 

Finally back in a midget here in Tulsa! Race of champions on tap for tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/zmCYxuqK3N

— jesse love jr (@jesselovejr1) January 12, 2026

Both drivers trace their roots back to the quarter-midget arena — the small, high-performance cars young racers pilot on short oval tracks. That foundation of wheel-control, car-placement and race-craft has proven invaluable at the national levels of stock-car competition.

 

Their ascents underscore the effectiveness of grassroots racing as a pipeline to NASCAR’s national series: the discipline required, early exposure to competitive environments, and the mental toughness developed in quarter-midget competition have served them well through late models, regional series, and ultimately to full-time rides in NASCAR’s upper tiers.

 

About Quarter Midget Racing

Quarter-midget racing — involving small, open-wheel cars for youth drivers ages roughly five to sixteen — has long served as a training ground for mechanics of racing: throttle control, car handling, overtaking skills, and race strategy. Many NASCAR drivers cite their quarter-midget experience as critical in shaping their careers.

 

About NASCAR Youth Racing

NASCAR Youth Series is the sanctioning body for the quarter midget racing division of the United States Auto Club (USAC). Quarter midget racing has been around since before World War II. It is a family-oriented motorsport that involves children ages 5-16 racing in specially-prepared cars. The cars, rules and safety procedures are designed specifically for kids. Quarter midget racing is divided into 14 classes/divisions. Kids typically race on oval tracks approximately 1/20th of a mile long. The surface of these tracks are dirt, concrete or asphalt.

 

 

source: NASCAR Youth Media

Keelan Harvick Embodied Father Kevin’s Composure

The Closer, Part II becomes the Youngest Snowflake 125 Winner in History

 

For a brief moment, Keelan Harvick thought he let a victory slip away in his debut Snowflake 125 appearance at Five Flags Speedway early Sunday morning.

 

A bad restart with 45 laps remaining stymied a valiant charge the young Harvick had made from the 15th starting position, which forced him to play catch up against Tristan McKee and reigning Snowball Derby winner Kaden Honeycutt. Possessing the same poise as his father Kevin, Harvick did not waste the limited time at his disposal.

 

“I thought I was in third gear, but I was in second gear,” Harvick said. “I just made a mistake, but I knew I had to fight back. [It would have been] a pretty embarrassing way to lose the Snowflake [125] after I had just got the lead.

 

However, not even 20 laps passed before Harvick found himself on McKee’s rear bumper to re-take the top spot. Harvick easily dispatched McKee and held him off in the closing laps to become the youngest Snowflake 125 winner at 13, surpassing the record previously established by a 14-year-old Hunter Robbins in 2005.

 

𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒆 - At 13 years old @KeelanHarvick became the youngest winner of the #Snowflake125 at the end of a very late night at @5FlagsSpeedway.

He caught up with our @RobBlount to explain how scored the biggest win of his life 👇 pic.twitter.com/qcequVXJsP

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) December 7, 2025

Battling his way to a Snowflake 125 victory was a mentally taxing experience for Harvick, who climbed out of his No. 62 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford shortly before 4 a.m. CT. Yet he still made time to appreciate and reflect upon the journey that led him to prevailing on the Pro Late Model discipline’s premier stage.

 

“It’s just really cool,” he said. “[I’m thankful for] everything that everybody has sacrificed for me to get to this point. My dad took me to Italy when I was 10 to get the experience with all the other kids who are so much better. That helped me understand the value of racing and helped me get to this point.”

 

 

“We typically try to find the hardest races because you learn the most,” Kevin said. “This race is no different. Not going to find the best competition you can is detrimental to the kids. [Keelan] has done a great job, but Rackley [W.A.R.] has done a great job of preparing the cars all year and getting him used to driving the [Pro Late Models].”

 

Getting the sneaking suspicion this golf thing is going to be put on the back burner… 🙃🥰 #itried pic.twitter.com/kOMnvAnyPH

— DeLana Harvick (@DeLanaHarvick) December 7, 2025

 

source: NASCAR Media

Welcome Charley Blaney

Future Racer like his Dad and Granddad?

 

Ryan Blaney and his wife Gianna Tulio have welcomed home the sweet baby boy, Charley. Charley was born on November 17th.

 

Ryan Blaney and his father, Dave Blaney are both well-know NASCAR Drivers. Dave Blaney raced in the NASCAR Cup Series for 17 years, competing in 473 races with four wins.

 

Son Ryan Blaney has had a successful career with 377 Cup Series starts as of November 2025 including seventeen wins and a 2023 Championship! He can also boast of seven Xfinity wins plus four Truck Series Wins.

 

We’ve moved on from the tar 💩 phase to the mustard 💩 phase. I gotta tell ya, I prefer mustard.

— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 23, 2025

Welcome to this successful racing family Charley.

 

source: NASCAR Media