Kyle Honored: Kyle Petty was presented with the 2002 March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year Award at the March of Dimes 11th Annual Sports Luncheon, held at the Waldorf-Astoria’s Grand Ballroom [in NYC]. The award punctuated a season of competitive resurgence for the younger Petty, who drives the #45 Sprint Dodge. Petty finished this season 22nd in the NASCAR Winston Cup championship standings, riding the crest of a remarkable consistency over the balance of the 36-race season. The key statistic: Petty failed to finish only one race. Of course, Petty has become synonymous with more than racing. His annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (on motorcycles) has raised over $3 million for children’s charities across the United States. In honor of his late son Adam, Petty and his wife Pattie are in the process of establishing the Victory Junction Gang Camp for seriously ill children. That sort of thing was the “bell-ringer” for the March of Dimes, said NASCAR President Mike Helton, who spoke at the luncheon. Petty, Helton pointed out during his speech, is the first NASCAR competitor to receive the March of Dimes award. “Kyle is truly a great ambassador for all sports,” Helton said. He has had a great deal of success over the years [in racing], but what he is best known for throughout the sport is using his fame to help others. In professional sports the product is the sport itself. The success of the sport depends on the character of those who choose to participate in it. Motorsports, in particular NASCAR, has been fortunate to have the Petty family members as participants… Kyle has elevated the Petty name to a new plateau.”(NASCAR PR)(12-5-2002)
