Fans walk racetrack to help NASCAR charities

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The first of four walks designed to race money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Speedway Children's Charities took place Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway.

Fans were invited to walk the track at Texas Motor Speedway with several drivers, including Kyle Petty, Richard Petty, John Andretti and Terry Labonte.

"It's exciting for the fans to be able to walk around the track- no matter where we are at," said Andretti. "We go to a lot of different places, but we don't get the chance to really talk with the fans and see what's up with them.

"This gives us a chance to do that, in an event that is different and fun. This really helps out the Victory Junction Gang Camp. This is a cool way to help out the camp, and I will do anything to help them out.

Three more Fun Walks for Charity are planned in 2003 -- Dover International Speedway in May, Lowe's Motor Speedway in October and Atlanta Motor Speedway in October.

"NASCAR fans will have a great opportunity to see up close a track where their favorite drivers compete for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship," said George Pyne, NASCAR chief operating officer. "Victory Junction Gang Camp and Speedway Children's Charities are two exceptional industry-related charities, and it is our hope that fans will include this unique event in their race-week plans."

Victory Junction Gang Camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Kyle Petty and his wife, Pattie, founded the camp, the only year-round multi-disease camp of its kind in the Carolinas and Virginia, in honor of their late son Adam.

Victory Junction will include more than 36 buildings on 65 acres of land donated by Richard and Lynda Petty.

For more information, visit their site at www.victoryjunction.org.

Speedway Children's Charities, a Proud Charity of NASCAR, is a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping children in need improve their quality of life.

Through donations, sponsorships and fundraising events, the Charities distributes funds to qualified non-profit organizations providing direct medical, educational, and social services to children in need. Additional information is available at www.speedwaycharities.org.