The last two months, we took a look into the formation of Victory Junction, a medically safe camp for kids with serious medical conditions right here in North Carolina. We learned about the loss of Adam Petty and how the Petty family turned that loss into blessing for others — all inspired by Adam’s dream to give back. In our final part of this series, let’s take a look at what NASCARnival night is and hear from Kyle Petty, Adam’s dad.

After my interview with Richard Petty, my family and I were able to visit Victory Junction in person and experience their NASCARnival night they do each Tuesday night of their summer camps. It’s true that nothing anyone says can paint the picture better than seeing it in person. These nights are filled with so many fun activities for the campers like hot air balloons, dunk tanks, pies in the face, yummy snacks and more! The most exciting part of these nights is when varying pit crews and their drivers show up to do a live pitstop up close for all the kids to see! We happened to be there when Cars Tour driver, Lanie Buice was there with her pit crew. She is the first female driver who they’ve had out for a NASCARnival night, which was so cool! It was such an honor to witness such genuine fun and joy that night. Michael Cottingham, Chief Marketing Officer at VJ showed us around the campgrounds and used the phrase “challenge by choice” often when sharing the opportunities the kids are presented with. We also got to speak with Frances Beasley, Chief Development Officer at VJ. It was clear they were both proud of and happy to be a part of the lasting change VJ creates for these kids and their families.

There was one conversation that still needed to happen to bring this full circle and that was with Kyle Petty, Adam’s dad. We were able to speak on the phone for a few minutes as he spoke to the camp and his own experience. I mentioned how grief often has the power to bring families closer together or drive them apart, though for the Petty family it seems to have made them even stronger. I wondered what it has meant for him to be backed by his family during a time of such loss and still today. He shared, “There is no one way to feel an emotion like grief, joy, love… everyone experiences it in their own way. What fascinates me about the camp and my family is that we all ended up in the same place and that place is Victory Junction. It gave us a purpose, but the fans are the ones who built this place. We just had an idea.” He added, “It shows how connected we all are and how we always will be no matter what and if nothing else brings us together, Victory Junction will.” I asked what got him through that time and what still gets him through the hard days that inevitably still sneak up on him. He spoke a lot about his roots of growing up in a rural, farmland community and how everyone touches everyone else’s successes and tragedies in some way, shape or form. He spoke about his family’s faith and involvement in their local church, notably his Grandma Owens who had experienced a lot of personal tragedy in her lifetime. He said, “When you asked her about it she would always say you can choose to be bitter or you can choose to be blessed, but it’s a choice”. After losing Adam, that’s the first thing that he thought of, and it has continued to be his mindset still today. “Vacation Bible school, going to church, God, faith and [his] Grandmother Owens” all gave him the strength to move forward. Finally, I wondered what he thinks Adam would say about Victory Junction today if he could be here. He shared, “I think he would be incredibly honored and humbled. I think it would mean so much to him that his family raised their hand to continue his dream. I think he would be humbled to know names like Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr., Michael Waltrip, Matt Kenseth, Kenny Schrader, Kenny Wallace all helped to make this place happen… I can’t name anyone who hasn’t touched it — and I know he’d be humbled by the kids.”

I am grateful to Kyle Petty for his willingness to set aside time in his busy schedule to speak with me. He was vulnerable, thorough and kind. I am also grateful to Richard Petty for meeting with me. It’s hard to know if any other interview I might conduct could top one with The King. He was kind, wise and inspiring. I felt as though I was having a conversation with my grandpa where nuggets of wisdom were casually dropped throughout the conversation and I was hanging on every word. He was welcoming to me, my husband and 1-year-old son who tagged along. My son doesn’t know yet how cool it was that he got a high-five from The King himself, but he’ll know soon enough.

Dear readers, if you’ve been inspired by what you’ve learned about the Petty family and Victory Junction and would like to become part of the Victory Junction Donor Family, visit this link or scan the QR code: https://victoryjunction.org/support/. Give one-time or become a part of Adam’s Heroes by committing to give monthly, becoming a hero to the kids at Victory Junction. The mission doesn’t continue without YOU! Be sure to also check out their socials @VictoryJunction and on YouTube @Victory-Junction.

Full throttle,

Clair Crow