Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Waltrip ready to put feet to the asphalt

Tuesday, July 6, 2004 | 9:30 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran Michael Waltrip will be racing twice in Las Vegas next season.

No, NASCAR hasn't awarded the Las Vegas Motor Speedway a coveted second Nextel Cup date. Waltrip announced Saturday that he would run in the Las Vegas Marathon in January and made a commitment to raise $1 million for the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C.

Fellow NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife, Patti, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp to enrich the lives of children with chronic illnesses. The 72-acre camp, dedicated to their late son Adam's memory, opened last month.

Besides attempting to raise $1 million through donations at next year's Las Vegas Marathon, Waltrip has teamed with Devine Racing to spend $2.3 million over the next three years to promote the event through a program called "Operation Marathon: Going the Distance for Kids." Devine Racing LLC purchased the Las Vegas Marathon last month from Al Boka of Las Vegas.

"I was talking with Kyle one day and he told me how much it was going to cost to maintain the camp," Waltrip said. "I knew then that I wanted to help because I felt it was important for people to know it will take a long-term commitment, a marathon of giving, for this camp to continue working for these children.

"I realize that $1 million is a lofty goal, but so is running 26-plus miles. Making a commitment to run that far pushes my limits, and in turn I want to push the limits of NASCAR fans, my corporate sponsors and running enthusiasts across the country by asking them to contribute to this cause."

Through the "Operation Marathon" program, Devine Racing will donate $10 for every person who signs up to run in the Jan. 30 LV Marathon. Fans also can contribute to the cause by calling (866) WALTRIP or by visiting www.michaelwaltrip.com.

"With the amazing fan base that NASCAR has, we can do this," Waltrip said. "We're going to need the masses to pitch in $10 at a time in order to accomplish our goal."

Kyle Petty, who ran in this year's half-marathon in Las Vegas, told the Sun he was considering running in next year's full marathon here.

"Michael is going to try to put me in training," Petty said. "I'm going to run along behind him and give him water. I may be on a golf cart or something like that, but I'll be there for him because I think this is incredible. I ran a half-marathon in January and I told him I was inspired by his will to just get out and do something. To be able to do this for Victory Junction is huge for us personally as well.

"We may have come up with the idea for the camp and kind of got the ball rolling, but it's not our camp; it's everyone's camp. Michael and Buffy (Waltrip) make it their camp when they lend their support and I challenge all of you to make it your camp. That's the part for me that is more special than anything else because I think that reflects Adam's personality -- bringing people together."

Adam Petty, a promising NASCAR driver in his own right, died in May 2000 at the age of 19 as a result of a crash during a practice session at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Other winners were Mark Schottmuller (Late Models), Don Williams (IMCA Modifieds), Dustin Ash (Semi-Pro Legends Cars) and Taylor Barton (Pro/Master Legends Cars).

The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series at The Bullring will resume July 31.