2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has announced🌳 that his eponymous charity foun🧜dation has donated $1 million to favourite NASCAR Charity the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Due to open in the summer of 2004 in Randleman, North Carolina, the Victory Junction Gang Camp was founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son Adam. The camp is dedicated to creating empowering experiences for children with chronic or life-threaten🦂ing illnesses.

"I really admire Kyle and Pattie Petty for the people they are and for the work that they do," said Stewart. "The Victory Junction Gang Camp was their idea, and they've done so much to make it happen. The Tony Stewart Fou꧟ndation is proud toꦍ donate $1 million to the Victory Junction Gang Camp so that Kyle and Pattie's dream can soon become reality."

This is Stewart's second major contribution to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, with his first donation having come in 2001 thanks to the collecti𒁏ve efforts of Stewart, The Home Depot(R), Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. When Stewart competed in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, he pledged $100 for every lap he completed, with The Home Depot, Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing each matching Stewart's donation. And after completing all 600 laps, $240,000 was raised for the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

"I couldn't be more proud of our association with Joe Gibbs and Tony Stewart," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO, The ౠHome 🅘Depot. "Today's donation exemplifies Tony's strong character and further underscores the values shared by our company and this great champion."

Stewart is now an official founder of the Victory Junction Gang Camp, as his cumulative unrestricted donations have totalled over $1 million. In addition to the Petty fꦛamily, Stewart joins actor Paul Newman and the Bahre familyဣ - owners of New Hampshire International Speedway - as founding members.

Stewart's announcement coincide𓄧s with the #45 "Hands to Victory" Dodge that Kyle Petty drove in Sunday's Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway. The special paint scheme, designed by renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass, features the handprints of 46 Winston Cup drivers and൩ was conceived to celebrate and recognize the NASCAR drivers who have lent a helping hand to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

- and at the Petty Enterprises trackside trailer in Rockingham.

Proceeds from the sale of "Hands to Victory" merchandise wil🔯l go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, with various merchandise manufacturers making donations as well. All 46 drivers whose hands appear on the #45 "Hands to Victory" Dodge waived their royalty fees, wi🐬th that money also going to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.