The 2026 Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire will start in Springfield, IL. on Saturday, June 20, and end in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, June 28, as part of the
100th Anniversary of iconic Route 66
2026 Great Race Run of Show
Springfield, IL
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 -
6:00pm-9:00pm Cruise-in at the Gate 2 Experience hosted by Visit Springfield and our local car clubs.
Event is for registered Great Race racers, support staff and invitation only dignitaries.
Enter Illinois State Fairgrounds off of Sangamon Ave into Main Gate and turn right after the Giant Route 66 Slide. Event is NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Thursday, June 18, 2026
6:00pm-9:30pm
Location - Y Block - 4th and Jackson Streets (Across from the Governor's Mansion)
Welcome party hosted by Visit Springfield for all Great Race participants at the Levitt Amp Summer Concert Series. Visit Springfield will have a specific tent, located at the corner of 4th & Capitol, for Great Race racers and staff. Jeff and Eric Fredette, 2x Grand Champion winners, 2025 and 2018 will have their car on display.
Cap off the evening with the post concert Route 66 Centennial Celebration Drone Show! Take a trip along Route 66 in the sky over the Capitol!! Event is open to the public
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Street Closures 6am-3pm
6th Street between Capitol and Jefferson
Monroe Street between 5th and 7th
Washington between 5th and 7th for local car club cruise-in vehicles
Adams Street between 6th and 7th
8:30am Parc Ferme Open - Cars rolling into position and parked for the starting kick-off
11:15am Great Race Start Ceremony – Promptly at 11:15am
(Located under the inflatable GR Arch on 6th Street between Washington and Jefferson. Includes National anthem and address from dignitaries)
11:30am First car departs
1:30pm Last car departs
2:00pm Area cleared
8:00am-2:00pm Mini Mother Road Classic Car Show - 66 cars, Washington Street closure between 5th & 7th. Food trucks and bathrooms will be available.
Saturday events are open to the public.
About the 2026 Great Race -
The Great Race is the world’s premiere old car rally, and 120 of the world’s finest antique automobiles will take part in the annual adventure. The 9-day, 2,300-mile event will travel to 18 cities in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.
Contacts -
Visit Springfield - Paula Antonacci, Convention Services, paula.antonacci@springfield.il.us or 217-789-2360 x5529
Great Race - Houston Gibson, Great Race Director, Houston@greatrace.com 423-802-0093