Raises Funds for Victory Junction

The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce was proud to part of the planning team to welcome NASCAR royalty to Bedford County May 9th, 2025.  The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America rolled into Bedford on the 6th day of this year 1500 mile trek, which also included Watkins Glen Speedway, Corning Glass, Niagara Falls, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Henry Ford Museum among its many highlights.

The Chamber, with the help of Downtown Bedford, Inc. distributed 600 American flags to local businesses and residents who lined the streets to welcome the 125+ cyclists, part of a 250-person crew including passengers, staff, support vehicles, and more.  The riders fueled up at a local gas station, then proceeded through town from West Pitt Street to Richard Street to the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, where they greeted hundreds of fans.  The Chamber, with the help of Erin Weyant from the office of PA Rep. Jesse Topper, presented Kyle with a “Key to the County” personalized by id Graphics.  Celebrities greeting fans included Kyle Petty, racing legend Richard Petty, former NASCAR drive Ken Schraeder, and Heisman Trophy winner Herschekl Walker, among others.  Proceeds of the ride, presented in memory of Adam Kyle Petty, benefit Victory Junction Camp for kids with chronic medial issues.

“This was such a special initiative to be part of,” said Chamber President-CEO Kellie Goodman Shaffer. “We had a blast working with Eric Zembower and Jake Hoover from the Bedford Speedway to make the arrival as welcoming and smooth as possible, and we can’t say enough about our local PA State Police troopers, Bedford Borough Police Department, borough leadership and all of our local businesses and citizens who helped us roll out the red carpet for this amazing occasion. What an amazing day!”

Check out the video the KPCR made documenting their trip from Corning NY, to Bedford:

Preview Story: 29th Annual Ride Across America 

The roar of motorcycles for a great cause coming to Bedford County next week, as former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty revs up to lead one of the country’s most popular charity rides.

The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will make a stop in Bedford Thursday, May 8, with Petty himself leading more than 125 motorcycles into town as part of a week-long effort 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.

Starting in Traverse City, Michigan on May 3 and ending in Hot Springs, Virginia on Friday, May 9, participants will travel more than 1,400 miles through seven states on the seven-day trek. Along the way, riders will enjoy the natural beauty of three Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, and Virginia’s hot springs, as well as iconic stops and activities, like visits to the Henry Ford Museum and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and laps at Watkins Glen International.  Bedford is a new stop for the ride, which started in 1995.

“You may be excited but you’re not as excited as we are,” said Kyle Petty during a Zoom interview from his Charlotte home.  “We are so pumped up we came through there on our site inspection stayed out in at the Omni Bedford Springs…what an amazing, amazing place, and what an amazing town. We have just preached the gospel of Bedford Pennsylvania ever since that first visit. I’m telling all of our riders about it, and they’re so pumped to be there.”

“We are beyond excited to welcome the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America to Omni Bedford Springs,” added resort General Manager Amanda Burroughs. “It is such an important cause, and the Petty family has been amazing to work with. They quickly saw the charm of our beautiful resort and the magic that is Bedford, PA.”

Since its inception in 1995, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride has welcomed more than 9,350 motorcyclists to the event, logging more than 13.1 million cumulative miles, and raising more than $22 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.  Victory Junction was co-founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam, who lost his life in a racing crash in 2000 at the age of 19.

“The Petty racing legacy, their brand, and philanthropy has transcended well beyond NASCAR and we get to be part of it,” said Eric Zembower, former race car driver and Bedford Speedway track announcer. “This is going to be a big day for Bedford and the resort.  The Petty’s pack in a full day with everything they do, and they wouldn’t have to. It’s been a pleasure working with Kyle and his wife Morgan, and we hope the best for Victory Junction. We hope for a big turnout as they ride through Bedford.”

The parade of motorcycles and support vehicles is expected to arrive in Bedford around 2:30pm Thursday May 8th.  After a fuel stop, the ride, led by Zembower in the Bedford Speedway pace vehicle, will make its way through Bedford via West Pitt Street from the Rt. 220 bypass exit, traveling east to Richard Street, and then continuing to the Omni Bedford Springs Resort with a scheduled arrival around 3pm.  There, the riders, including Kyle Petty’s famous family and friends, will meet and greet fans for photos and autographs on the resort front lawn, weather permitting.

Among the celebrities participating in the ride are NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Hershel McGriff; former NASCAR drivers Max Papis, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood; and Harley-Davidson VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson.

“We go places like Bedford, smaller towns that are America,” added Petty. “This is where America is, it’s not the big cities. We go to big cities nobody cares, but we go to places like Bedford, and people want to meet Richard Petty. They want to meet Hershel (Walker) and we’re inviting everybody to come out, wave at us when we pass, and after we pass you fall in line at the back of the parade and follow us out to the Omni because we’re going to be out there hanging out to meet you. That’s what it’s all about  – meeting people and spreading the gospel of Victory Junction.”

Officials in Bedford County are ready to roll out the red carpet for Kyle Petty and company, with the help of the speedway, local law enforcement, and the Bedford Fire Department. The Bedford County Chamber has commissioned a “Key to the County,” personalized by id graphics to welcome the group, to be presented during a brief ceremony on the resort lawn.  The Chamber, with the help of Downtown Bedford, Inc. will also distribute hundreds of small American flags to businesses and spectators along Pitt and Richard Streets to wave as the processional comes through town.  The Bedford Lions Club will display their large flags on Pitt and Richard streets as well.

Spectators are welcome to join in the celebration lining Pitt and Richard Streets and/or meeting the motorcyclists at the resort; all are asked to please follow the parking and other guidelines provided by Omni Bedford Springs to allow for the best possible experience for all involved.

IF YOU GO TO THE OMNI BEDFORD SPRINGS FOR THE KYLE PETTY CHARITY RIDE:

Parking Instructions:

  • Enter from the Business Route 220 delivery entrance, and park in the gravel lot located behind the resort.
  • After parking, carefully walk to the front of the resort, following directional signs.
  • Handicap guests: A shuttle service will be available for easier transportation from the gravel lot to the event area.
  • The front drive, Tillie’s parking lot, and back lot across Business Rt. 220 will be closed, and reserved for the KPCR bikes and support vehicles. Guests are under no circumstances permitted to park in those areas. Parking along Sweet Root Rd on either side is also strictly prohibited.

Meet & Greet Details: Fans can meet the riders for photos and autographs!

  • Line up along the sidewalk near the valet area to cheer on the riders and meet the celebrities.
  • Limit autographs to 2 items per person, please.
  • Memorabilia like T-shirts and hats will be available for purchase ($20 each — cash or check only).
  • Donations to the “Small Change. Big Impact.” program are welcomed and appreciated!

Hear from Kyle Petty about the Charity Ride and visit to Bedford: