Iowan enjoys NASCAR dream

An Iowan is living a dream on cross-country trip. Jeff Kelderman of Oskaloosa is part of 200 motorcyclists making their way across America on the “Sprint/Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.” The ride benefits several children’s hospitals as well as the Victory Junction Gang Camp which was founded in 2000 by Kyle Petty and his wife in honor of their late son Adam. It’s a racing-themed, seven-day camp for chronically ill children. Several NASCAR drivers, including Kyle Petty and father Richard, Terry Labonte, Steve Park, Kenny Schrader, Jeff Green, and Matt Kenseth, are part of this year’s ride. Kelderman says they do take time to stop along the route when they see fans, and sign autographs.After spending the night in Omaha Wednesday riders will make three stops in Iowa Thursday including Council Bluffs around 8 am, Des Moines around 10 am, with a stop in West Branch for fuel before they travel I-80 to Chicago. Kelderman was selected for the ride as a result of his business, Behind the Wheel Inc., which markets leather furniture sporting the logos of NASCAR’S drivers. The ride will wind up June 30th at the Petty farm in North Carolina. For more information on the ride surf to: www.kylepettycharityride.org.