‘Well worthwhile’: Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America arrives in Mill Hall, gathers large crowd | News, Sports, Jobs

The surreal site was complemented by the first true sunshine the area has experienced in about a week and a parking lot full of fans, with lot’s open parking spots almost being filled an hour before the group’s arrival. Later arrivals were allowed to get creative.

While the stop itself represented a small portion of a jam-packed week for the bikers, it was big for the fans that were getting to meet Petty, his dad Richard and the other celebrity bikers in attendance for the first time.

“I first started watching NASCAR in probably ’86, ’87 and I’m still a Kyle Petty fan,” said longtime fan Scott Henry, of Muncy, while preparing for the bikes to arrive. “I’d seen him years ago when I was up in Michigan and he used to NASCAR race in Michigan but I never really got close to him. It’s just going to be cool.”

More notably, it was another great opportunity for people to come together in support of a great cause.

Kyle Petty talks with friends before getting back on his Harley-Davidson at the Flying J truck stop in Mill Hall Thursday afternoon during the first stop of the day by the Kyle Petty Charity Ride.
Petty and his father Richard as well as other former NASCAR drivers are part of this leg of the 2025 ride.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Fans showed up in droves to meet their idols, get merch and memorabilia autographed or buy new merch, with all proceeds going to Victory Junction – a year-round camp established by Petty and his family for kids dealing with serious ailments. While expected to be short and sweet, Petty and other celebrity riders – such as Ken Schrader and Herschel Walker – ensured most, if not all, autographs were signed.

“What it does for the camp is huge,” said former Nascar driver Schrader on the cause. “I’ve had the opportunity to go to the camp more than a few times. If you get to see the kids that come there, spend the week, it’s amazing.”

“The (Petty) family has done an incredible job,” emphasized Walker. “I saw parents that were with their child 24/7. They brought them to Victory Junction, dropped them off and the kid absolutely loved it. That’s what brings a smile to your face.”

For the riders, that aspect of the event coupled with the experience of the ride and friends made along the way have unexpectedly made them for-lifers.

This year’s ride was Walker’s 19th in a row, and he doesn’t expect to stop anytime soon. Tim Robinson, an inexperienced motorcyclist prior to joining, has been with the group for 21 years. And many bikers have been a part of it for at least a decade.

Tanner Aderhold, of Williamsport, left, gets his photo taken with Nascar legend Richard Petty, right, at the Flying J truck stop in Mill Hall Thursday afternoon during the first stop of the day by the Kyle Petty Charity Ride.
Petty and his father Richard as well as other former NASCAR drivers are part of this leg of the 2025 ride.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Once you come, it’s hard to stop,” said Robinson. “When you see what it’s all about — raising money for these kids, it’s hard to stop.”

“I think the very first time I went, I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in,” emphasized Walker. “I had a lot of good coaches, good parents and adults help me, so I think this is time to give back and help someone else.”

The stop at Flying J Fuel Station marked the first of its second-to-last day, as the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America began making its Day 6 trip from Corning, New York to Bedford. For Petty and the riders, the week has gone by in a blink of an eye, but they’ve had a great time.

Through the ride, the group has gotten to experience the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Niagara Falls, the Corning Museum of Glass and now, for the first time, Central Pennsylvania. Outside of a rainy day or two, it’s gone off without a hitch.

“It’s so beautiful to come through these mountains,” said Petty on Thursday’s drive. “It’s been great.”

Through recent years, the ride has typically been able to generate between 1.75 to 2 million dollars per year for the camp, plenty of which come from events like these. While joining the ride at this point is difficult, involving a lottery, there are plenty of ways to help the cause.

“I would urge anybody to try and get on a ride, but if you can’t, send a donation,” said Keith Edwards, a first-time rider. “It’s well worthwhile.”

“You can go to victoryjunction.org or kylepettycharityrun.com,” said Petty. “Everything we raise goes to camp.”