There is a serious side to the two men, though, when it comes to their deep friendship, their families and Petty’s charity initiatives.

“It feels like Rutledge has been my best friend my whole life, although we met a bit later in life,” Petty said. “He is so caring. When he calls his wife and girls at night, it’s obvious they are first and foremost in his life. He also reaches out to encourage drivers or crew members who have had a bad day at the track. More than anything, I admire the fact Rutledge has a huge heart that matches his larger-than-life personality.”

Along the same lines, Petty makes outreach a priority with families and friends who have lost a child. He and wife Pattie lost their son, Adam, 19, in a practice crash at New Hampshire International Speedway in 2000.

“If Kyle hears about anyone who has crossed his path or a friend of a friend who has lost a child, even a total stranger, he is the first to pick up the phone and spend hours talking to them,” Wood said. “That takes a tremendous amount of strength. For someone in the public eye as much as he has been his entire life, and with (Victory Junction Gang) Camp a constant reminder of Adam, I don’t know anyone who could have been so strong and let the legacy of Adam live on as well as it has. Kyle is living for Adam in a lot of ways.”

Adam’s legacy most prominently lives in Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty to honor Adam and his vision of providing a year-round camping environment for children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Victory Junction’s (www.victoryjunction.org) mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, and always free of charge to the families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 16,000 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible for healthy children.

Wood is a prominent player in the fundraising effort for Camp each year, volunteering both at Camp and participating in this week’s Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.

“The coolest thing is to be in these tiny little towns out in the middle of nowhere and lining the street are people holding signs saying, ‘We miss you, Adam’ or ‘We love what you do, Kyle,’ Wood said. “Seeing the folks in these small towns rally around what the Charity Ride stands for is amazing. For me, it’s one of those moments that make this all real. When you get to do something as simple as hopping on a motorcycle to raise money so that kids with illnesses can be normal kids for one week is one of the coolest things anybody could ever do. People think Disney World is the happiest place on earth, but when you’re at Camp with these children and you see their faces light up because no one tells them, ‘No, you can’t do that because you’re sick’ you realize Camp truly is the happiest place in the world.”

Petty’s appreciation for his friend’s dedication to the causes closest to his family’s heart is apparent.

“Rutledge brings life to Camp and the Charity Ride,” Petty said. “He brings so much energy, enthusiasm and laughter. That’s what Camp and the Ride are all about. That’s what being at the race track is all about. It’s about enjoying yourself, watching others enjoy themselves and doing something you love. None of this is a job.”