51FIFTY-sponsored award revealed during March 13 WCSCHOF induction ceremonies
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 13, 2025) – Victory Junction, a NASCAR-themed youth camp facility founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam, is the 2025 Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year presented by 51FIFTY. The presentation was made during the March 13 West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame induction gala, presented by World Wide Technology at Gateway, at the South Point Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Victory Junction is a year-round camp facility for children with serious and chronic medical conditions. It provides life-changing camp experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a medically safe environment, always free of charge. Victory Junction relies on the generosity of the community and gifts of all sizes to ensure every experience provided is at no cost to families.
In addition to traditional camp sessions, Victory Junction also takes camp experiences to children and their families at hospitals, clinics, and other community partner sites throughout the Carolinas and Virginia.
Since its opening in 2004, Victory Junction has delivered more than 136,000 camp experiences and has served children from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as four countries.
Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of camps founded by Paul Newman and is accredited by the American Camp Association. To learn more, please visit victoryjunction.org.
In making the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year award presentation, 51FIFTY’s Jason VanDusen said, “Knockin’ Doorz Down is more than just a phrase—it’s a mindset. It’s about breaking barriers, lifting others up, and paving a path for change.
“And this year’s recipient embodies that spirit in every way. Through their dedication to enriching the lives of children with serious illness and providing the best care possible to all the children they serve, they have transformed lives, given hope, and set an example for all of us to follow.”
The Award was accepted by Richard Petty, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. “The King,” as the 200-race winner is known, is the grandfather of Adam Petty and Kyle Petty’s father.
“Ken Clapp’s impact on racing is undeniable, and as a longtime friend of the Petty family, I can also attest to his remarkable passion for helping others,” said Kyle Petty. “This donation will enrich the lives of children with serious and chronic medical conditions by providing life-changing, fun, and empowering camp experiences. On behalf of our campers, families, and the entire Victory Junction team, we extend our deepest gratitude to Ken, the Hall of Fame, and 51FIFTY for their incredible generosity.”
“Ever since Carlos Vieira came to me nearly five years ago with the idea and commitment of creating such an annual honor we have had great honorees and this year with the recognition of Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Camp, and with his legendary father present to receive the honor, I have been warmly overwhelmed,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. “I had the honor of twice riding in the annual Kyle Petty motorcycle ride on the back of Hershel McGriff’s Honda Gold Wing trike and believe me, it was an amazing experience.
“Just wish I could do it again and maybe in my dream I just might if Hershel with have me.”
Recipients of the Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year by 51FIFTY award are:
2025
- Victory Junction, Victory Junction is a year-round camp facility for children with serious and chronic medical conditions. Founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam.
2024
- The NASCAR Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the delivery of health and wellness programs and services to children in racing communities
2023
- Kurt Busch Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation, non-profits operating on behalf of military outreach and youth sports and educational charities
2022
- The Sonoma Raceway chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charities, which has distributed more than $6.8 million to qualified Sonoma County, Calif. youth groups
2021
- Mike Curb, recording executive, racing industry sponsor and West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee
The Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of The Year award was brought to life by Carlos Vieira, a business man, an entrepreneur, a retired racecar driver, a father and a philanthropist. Carlos Vieira has spent years of his life living the madness, in which he has overcome obstacles and adversities throughout the years to become the success he is today.
And with that success he has been given opportunities to help others along the way. He founded the Carlos Vieira Foundation in 2010 and began the great works of helping families living with autism, mental illness and drug addiction, through programs such as Race For Autism, Race 2B Drug Free and the Race To End The Stigma campaigns.
Vieira captured all of this in his book Knockin’ Doorz Down, released in 2020, the real life story of breaking through the darkness of addiction and finding redemption. He continues to live this life of philanthropy and is actively encouraging others to follow suite. This award is a representation of that mindset. To put others first, to lift others up and to always do what we can to help when help is needed.
Highlights of the 2025 induction ceremonies will be broadcast later this summer, network, air dates and broadcast times to be announced.
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
The Hall is a 501(c)3, soon to be (c)4 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. The Hall has raised more than $1 million during the past 6-1/2 years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes.
For more information on the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame visit: www.WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
About 51FIFTY
51FIFTY is power! Power to overcome, power to persevere, the power to set your life on the course of success. When you’re faced with the challenge’s life throws at you, you focus and do what is needed to go beyond what is required. Stand up, stand firm, believe, make it happen and live through the madness, knockin’ doors down along the way!
51FIFTY represents the lifestyle we choose to live, to have confidence in ourselves, to not let anyone or anything stop us, to overcome all adversity. We choose to be who we’re meant to be. We help others with empathy, compassion and honor. We see a world that is destined for greatness when we lift each other up rather than tearing each other down.
We choose to help, focus on community and inspire those around us. We are 51FIFTY!
Source: West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame
