In this video, Eric Estepp takes you inside the heart of Victory Junction, the one-of-a-kind summer camp founded by the Petty family to give kids with serious medical conditions a chance to just be kids. From petting animals and testing out archery, to exploring the camp’s NASCAR roots and experiencing the excitement of NASCARNival with real Cup Series teams, Eric dives into everything that makes Victory Junction such a special place.
In Randolph County, North Carolina, the gates of Victory Junction open to welcome children from across the nation. Founded more than 20 years ago by the Petty family, Victory Junction was born out of both love and loss, carrying forward the spirit of Adam Petty after his tragic passing. Since then, it has become a sanctuary where children with serious medical conditions can experience freedom, joy, and belonging.
Supported by NASCAR teams, drivers, fans, and an ever-expanding community of donors, the camp has become a living testament to how motorsports can fuel something far greater than competition on the track.
From the start, Victory Junction has embraced the philosophy of “challenge by choice.” Every camper decides which activities they want to participate in, whether horseback riding, adventure towers, or archery. Nothing is forced. Every step is a check-in.
That philosophy has led to remarkable stories. One camper who discovered archery there as a young girl later became a Paralympian, carrying with her the words of an instructor who told her after only two arrows: “Stick with this. You’re going to get good.” Her journey from camp to the world stage perfectly encapsulates Victory Junction’s mission: unlocking possibilities that the world may have told these children were impossible.
The activities at Victory Junction bring the same excitement you’d expect from any summer camp, but each one is carefully designed to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. Campers can pet donkeys and rabbits, climb towers, or test their aim in archery.
The camp even features a full IMAX-style theater, complete with vintage NASCAR memorabilia on display. From Matt Kenseth’s championship hood to historic racing artifacts, motorsports history subtly weaves its way into the experience, connecting the Petty family’s roots with the campers in the present day.
The idea for Victory Junction first emerged after Adam Petty visited another children’s camp with his father. Inspired, he said, “Let’s build a camp.” When tragedy struck, his vision became the mission for the entire Petty family. With the support of actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, the dream became a reality.
However, the true building blocks of Victory Junction came from the NASCAR community. Kenny Schrader, Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, and Dale Jarrett were among the first to rally around the project. Fans followed. Teams followed. Before long, Victory Junction transformed from an idea into a thriving camp that has impacted thousands of families. As Kyle Petty said, “This is not the Pettys’ camp. This camp belongs to the children.” That guiding belief continues to shape every program and every cabin.
Each summer week ends with one of the most anticipated traditions: NASCARNival. Thanks to nearby teams, the camp bursts to life with demonstrations, pit stop challenges, and visits from NASCAR drivers. Legacy Motor Club, John Hunter Nemechek, and others mingle with campers, turning what could be a distant dream into a tangible memory. For children who spend much of their lives in hospitals, dealing with needles, tests, and long recoveries, NASCARNival is a moment of belonging, a taste of the extraordinary.
What makes Victory Junction truly remarkable is not just its activities or its famous supporters, but its impact. Families never pay a dime for their children to attend. Thanks to donations and continued support from fans, sponsors, and the NASCAR community, everything is covered. That generosity makes it possible for children to travel from across the country, even as far as Hawaii, for just one week of camp. The draw is powerful, the reputation is trusted. The result is a place where children can ride horses, scale towers, and laugh around campfires, all without the weight of their diagnoses.
For the staff and volunteers, the reward comes in watching kids discover they can do more than they ever imagined. “Our world tells them they can’t. Sometimes even well-meaning parents tell them they can’t,” one staff member said. “But we put them in a harness, on a horse, or at an archery range, and they see for themselves that they can.”
Victory Junction continues to thrive because of the passion behind it and the lives it touches every single day. What started as a vision has grown into a lasting legacy, and each summer proves how powerful that mission still is.
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