(PHOENIX, Ariz.) - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kyle Petty and Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber today announced a charitable partnership to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation through Kyle Petty's Victory Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament, to be held in the Greater Phoenix area on February 27-28, 2008. The philanthropic initiative - Kyle Petty's Victory Invitational - will be officially unveiled today at a 6 p.m. press conference at ASU's Downtown Phoenix Campus, attended by Petty, Sperber, and Bernadette Melnyk, Dean of the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation.

By joining forces, both organizations can leverage their strengths by making a better tomorrow for children stricken with serious illness. Proceeds from the tournament and surrounding events will help support ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, support for their families, and contribute to the ongoing training for the professionals who treat them. It's a commitment to health, dreams and education.

Founded in 2004, the Victory Junction Gang Camp enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering in a safe and medically sound environment. The Camp was founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty, in honor of their son Adam, on 72 acres of land in North Carolina that was donated by Richard and Lynda Petty. More information on the Victory Junction Gang Camp can be found online at www.victoryjunction.org.

"The Victory Junction Gang Camp looks to do three or four major events each year - and this will be one of them," said Kyle Petty. "The help of the people at Phoenix International Raceway and the Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation is going to really accelerate this tournament into a premier charitable event for the camp - I can't thank them enough for what they have done to this point. This will be our first annual tournament, but the goal is to help raise a maximum amount of funds for terminally-ill children or children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. It's a great partnership and we're hoping to grow this event in coming years."

ASU's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation is an inclusive world class enterprise of discovery that prepares innovative, evidence-based healthcare providers, educators, leaders, and researchers to optimize health in a culturally diverse global community. The college has evolved from a small baccalaureate program to the largest supplier of nurses in Arizona with more Bachelor of Science and advanced practice nurses than any other school in the state and is the only university offering an on-campus Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (PhD) degree. More information on the Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation can be found at www.nursing.asu.edu.

"Improving healthcare for children and teens is a strategic initiative of the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation," said Bernadette Melnyk, Dean and Distinguished Foundation Professor in Nursing. "It is a privilege to be a partner with Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp and Phoenix International Raceway to benefit children and the nurses of the future who will care for them."

For more information about Kyle Petty's Victory Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament, please contact Kristie Maggs of Phoenix International Raceway at (623) 463-5400 or at kmaggs@phoenixinternationalraceway.com. Interested sponsors may reach Jon Sata at the same phone number or at jsata@phoenixinternationalraceway.com.

Now it's a Dozen Dueling for the Championship during the Semi-Final Showdown in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup Weekend at PIR, November 8-11, 2007! On Thursday night, November 8, the USAC Midget and Silver Crown Series return to PIR in the Copper World Classic Presented by FASTSIGNS SOUTHWEST Goodyear, Arizona. Friday night, November 9, the Craftsman Truck Series drivers roll the dice in the Casino Arizona 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, followed by the PIR After Dark Fan Festival. Saturday's ARIZONA.TRAVEL 200 NASCAR Busch Series race could determine a Busch Series champion, and on Sunday, November 11, it's the Playoffs…NASCAR Style as the stars of the NEXTEL Cup Series battle it out for the NEXTEL Cup Championship in the Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race. Get your NASCAR tickets today: Call 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visit www.racetickets.com!