1273: Kyle Petty is an auto racing icon.

Kyle Petty is an auto racing icon, a champion of philanthropy, and one of the most popular personalities in NASCAR. The son of NASCAR champion Richard Petty and grandson of NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty - Kyle followed in their footsteps, starting his 30-year NASCAR career as a Sprint Cup driver in 1979 at age 19, before also becoming an owner and media commentator. 

In 2004, Kyle and the Petty family opened the doors to Victory Junction - a camp created for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses - in honor of his late son, Adam Petty.

For the past 25 years, Kyle Petty has hosted hundreds of NASCAR fans, drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts on his annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The Ride travels cross-country each spring to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction. To date, the Ride has raised more than $18.5 million for children with chronic illnesses and is the most successful philanthropic event staged by any person in the NASCAR family.