SANFORD, Fla. -

In addition to an expected 1,800-plus vehicles up for grabs during the auction’s regular sale, attendees at the Sanford Auto Dealers Exchange’s July 3 event will have the chance to help a cause benefitting children with serious medical conditions and meet NASCAR royalty.

As part of a benefit for Victory Junction Camp — which gives children with life-threatening or chronic illnesses the chance to enjoy fun and adventure — there will be a charity auction and meet-and-greet with racing stalwart Kyle Petty following the regular consignment sale at SADE.

Petty and his wife, Pattie, helped launch Victory Junction in 2000, inspired by their late son Adam to lend a hand to those in need. Adam, just 19 years old, died in a race-track accident during a practice run that year.

The camp hosts close to 5,000 children each year. And this will mark the second time SADE has held a charity auction for Victory Junction. In 2005, SADE generated $25,000 for the camp, and SADE owner Michael Tumminello believes that will be bumped up to more than $35,000 this time around.

“We’re all counting the days until our sale and charity auction on the third,” said SADE owner Michael Tumminello. “It’s going to be a big day at SADE from start to finish, and we’re eagerly looking forward to visiting with Kyle Petty. He is an auto racing icon in NASCAR’s most famous family, and we are honored to join with him in this fundraising effort to benefit Victory Junction.”

The charity auction is expected to include as many as 40 units, as SADE and local dealerships are donating the vehicles. Additionally, more than 100 new-car stores have said they plan to give cash and/or vehicles.

The weekly sale will likely include more than 1,800 units. More than 800 dealers are expected to attend, with featured consignors including Ally Financial, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Avis Budget Group and franchised dealers in central Florida.