With the support of his family, NASCAR legend Richard Petty has donated 403 acres of land to Victory Junction, a year-round camp for children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions.

The donation includes eight parcels of land adjacent to the camp's current 140 acres, 84 of which were originally donated by Richard Petty and his late wife, Lynda, to help launch the camp 20 years ago.

After visiting a camp that served children with serious medical conditions in 1999, racecar driver Adam Petty felt called to create a similar camp. Tragically, Adam lost his life in a racing accident the following year. To honor Adam's memory, his father Kyle Petty rallied friends, the NASCAR community and donors to bring his son's vision to life, and in 2004, Victory Junction opened its gates.

Kyle Petty said, "When I see the joy and the smiles this camp brings to kids and their families, I can still feel Adam's giving spirit and see his smile. I want to make sure [the] camp is here in 100 years, and we hope this gift inspires others to support Victory Junction so that it remains a place of joy for generations to come."

Richard Petty, founder and active board member of Victory Junction, remains deeply committed to supporting the camp and its mission. Petty shared, "My family and I are dedicated to leaving a legacy. By donating an additional 403 acres, we hope to ensure the camp can continue serving even more children for generations to come."

"We are eternally grateful to the Petty family for this incredibly generous gift, and we are honored to continue supporting Adam's legacy," said Chad Coltrane, president and CEO of Victory Junction. "There is a larger-than-life heart that lights up when campers are at Victory Junction. That light and the love it signifies will beat a little brighter at camp this year."

While there are no immediate plans for utilizing the land, Mark Curran, board chair at Victory Junction, said, "As we envision the future of camp, the land will remain a topic of strategic discussions. We will be sure to use this thoughtful gift in ways that both secure the future of camp and provide even more life-changing camp experiences for children."

For more information, visit victoryjunction.org.