Great Race 2026 Rides Route 66 Centennial

A Century on the Mother Road

In 2026, America celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the storied highway that once linked Chicago to the Pacific in Santa Monica. Even after its 1985 decommissioning, the Mother Road still tugs at the imagination. It carries memories of neon-lit motels, family diners, quirky roadside attractions, and endless horizons stretching toward the American West. Few roads have shaped the country’s automotive culture more profoundly.

Therefore, it was only fitting that the Great Race chose Route 66 as the backbone of its 2026 edition.

Unlike conventional rallies, the Great Race is a precision endurance competition for vintage automobiles rather than a speed contest. Teams compete by maintaining exact average speeds while following carefully calculated routes. Victory depends on navigation, timing, consistency, and mechanical reliability—not outright horsepower. Along the way, the event celebrates the communities and traditions that grew alongside Route 66 while reminding spectators why cross-country road trips became such an enduring part of the American experience.

This year’s field reflected the international appeal of both the rally and the Mother Road. American classics shared the route with European sports cars, pre-war tourers, and postwar sedans from around the world. Together they transformed the highway into a moving museum, connecting generations of automotive history across nearly 2,500 miles of legendary pavement.

Photos courtesy of The Great Race.

Staging in Springfield and a Record Fundraiser

More than 140 teams gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to prepare for the westbound journey. Organizers selected the state capital for its central location, welcoming community, and historical ties to Route 66. At the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, drivers and navigators attended briefings, verified equipment, calibrated odometers, and made last-minute mechanical checks before the official start.

Meanwhile, the X-Cup Trophy Run gave college-age competitors one final opportunity to sharpen their skills. Created to introduce younger enthusiasts to precision rallying, the program continues to attract new participants while preserving one of America’s most unique motorsport traditions.

The Welcome Dinner became one of the event’s highlights even before the first car crossed the starting line. Through a combination of live and silent auctions, supporters raised more than $60,000 for the X-Cup initiative. A painting generated $15,000 before being generously donated back and auctioned a second time for another $15,000. Equally impressive, a handcrafted neon sign personalized with the winning team’s competition number sold for $11,000. The evening demonstrated how deeply the Great Race community supports the next generation of competitors.

With preparations complete, teams reviewed safety procedures, checkpoint protocols, and communication strategies. Since every second matters in a precision rally, smooth coordination between driver and navigator often proves more valuable than outright performance. Soon afterward, the countdown reached zero and the 2026 Great Race officially began.

Rolling to Collinsville and Into Missouri

At precisely 11:30 a.m. Central Time on Saturday, the first competitors departed downtown Springfield before enthusiastic crowds lining the streets. The ceremonial start marked the beginning of nearly two weeks of competition stretching from Illinois to California.

Leading the field was the Hemmings-sponsored team of Jeff and Eric Fredette, driving one of the rally’s meticulously prepared vintage entries. As each car rolled onto Route 66, spectators enjoyed a remarkable parade spanning nearly every era of automotive history. Brass-era automobiles shared the road with elegant classics from the 1930s, American muscle cars, British sports cars, and European grand tourers.

The opening leg carried competitors through Collinsville before crossing the Mississippi River into Missouri. Along the way, towns welcomed the rally with festivals, live music, and roadside gatherings that echoed the spirit of Route 66’s golden years. Families filled sidewalks, children collected autographs, and classic car enthusiasts examined machines that are rarely seen outside museums or concours events.

For many communities, the Great Race represented more than a motorsport event. It brought tourism, local business, and a renewed appreciation for the historic highway that once served as America’s most famous route west.

Following the Road That Defined America

The 2026 route traces many of Route 66’s most recognizable landmarks, carrying competitors through eight states before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Participants will pass restored gas stations, iconic motels, vintage diners, and countless roadside attractions that continue to preserve the character of the Mother Road a century after its creation.

Unlike modern interstate travel, Route 66 encourages slower exploration. Small towns replace anonymous highway exits, and every stop offers another reminder of the era when the journey mattered as much as the destination. That philosophy perfectly matches the Great Race itself. Competitors aren’t simply trying to finish first—they’re experiencing one of the world’s most celebrated highways exactly as generations of motorists once did.

The vintage cars reinforce that connection. Many were built during Route 66’s heyday, making them fitting ambassadors for the centennial celebration. Their steady pace, distinctive mechanical sounds, and period styling seem entirely at home among the historic buildings and classic neon signs that still survive along portions of the route.

Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66

As Route 66 reaches its centennial, the 2026 Great Race serves as both a competition and a tribute. It honors not only the automobiles that helped define American road travel but also the communities that grew alongside the highway and continue working to preserve its legacy.

The Mother Road has always represented more than asphalt connecting two coasts. It symbolizes freedom, exploration, and the uniquely American idea that adventure begins the moment the wheels start turning. One hundred years after its designation, that spirit remains remarkably intact.

For competitors and spectators alike, the 2026 Great Race demonstrates that Route 66 is far from a relic of the past. It remains a living piece of automotive history—one that still inspires travelers from around the world to chase the horizon, one mile at a time.