PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- The 24th Kyle Petty Charity Ride is underway, and this year the send-off was in Portland.
Riders and fans of NASCAR legend Kyle Petty came to the start to take pictures and have their memorabilia autographed. Maine's own, Ricky Craven was also there riding in this seven day trip for the first time.
During Day 1, they are making a pit-stop in Concord, New Hampshire before they roll into Albany, New York. Everyone involved is riding for the same the camp, Victory Junction. To date the charity ride across America has raised over $18 million and allows campers to attend free of charge.
"We built a camp in North Carolina when my oldest son Adam was killed," said Petty. "It's a camp for children with life threatening illnesses. This is the largest fundraiser for that camp."
Ricky Craven was happy to be back in Portland as the ride returns to the East Coast after seven years.
"This is a really cool opportunity for me to reconnect with Kyle Petty, friend for a long, long time in my home state and it's a great place to kick-off the event," said Craven. The ride will end May 11th in Greensboro, North Carolina.
