The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 runs June 8-12 across 5 venues along historic Route 66, spanning Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The 32nd annual event celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and displays over 6,000 cars and trucks across a 5-day rolling car show. Spectator admission is free at all venues.
What Is the Hot Rod Power Tour?
The Hot Rod Power Tour is America’s largest traveling car show, organized annually by HOT ROD magazine and published under the Hearst Magazines media network. The event spans multiple cities over 5 consecutive days, with registered participants driving their vehicles from venue to venue along a designated cruise route. Activities at each stop include drag racing, autocross, burnouts, a manufacturer midway, and main-stage entertainment. For context, see our previous guide on Lost City in the Everglades Near Everglades City: 3 Ancient Sites, Calusa History, and Visitor Facts.
The tour accepts 3 primary participant categories:
- Long Haulers – participants who drive the full 5-day route
- Multi-day participants – attendees who join for 2 or more stops
- Single-day participants – visitors attending 1 venue
When Is the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 takes place June 8-12, 2026, running Monday through Friday across 5 consecutive days. The event departs from Joliet, Illinois, on June 8 and concludes at Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 12. Registration and ticket transfers close on May 30, 2026.
Where Are the 5 Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 Stop Locations?
The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 visits 5 venues across 3 states along Route 66. The full daily schedule is listed below.
|
Day |
Date |
Venue |
City, State |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kickoff – Day 1 |
June 8 |
Route 66 Raceway |
Joliet, IL |
|
Day 2 |
June 9 |
Village of Rantoul |
Rantoul, IL |
|
Day 3 |
June 10 |
World Wide Technology Raceway |
St. Louis, MO |
|
Day 4 |
June 11 |
Missouri State University |
Springfield, MO |
|
Day 5 – Finals |
June 12 |
Tulsa Raceway Park |
Tulsa, OK |
What Happens at Each Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 Stop?
Each venue offers a distinct experience tied to its location and facilities.
- Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL – The kickoff includes a large-scale car show, manufacturer midway, main-stage entertainment, and drag racing open to all registered participants
- Village of Rantoul, IL – A locally themed stop at a former Air Force base community, with details to be released closer to the event
- World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis, MO – A full day of drag racing and autocross open to attendees
- Missouri State University, Springfield, MO – Hosted on the university’s athletic parking lots during the off-season
- Tulsa Raceway Park, Tulsa, OK – The closing celebration of the Route 66 centennial road trip
What Is the Route 66 Centennial Theme of the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was officially established on November 11, 1926. HOT ROD magazine selected the Route 66 corridor as the 2026 route to honor the highway’s cultural significance in American automotive history. The tour runs along one of the most historically traveled stretches of the road, from the easternmost point of Route 66 near Joliet, Illinois, to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The 2026 event is the first of 2 major HOT ROD events honoring the centennial. The second is HOT ROD Drag Week, which runs September 13-18, 2026, along a separate Route 66 circuit beginning and ending at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois.
What Are the Ticket Options for the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 offers 4 participant ticket tiers, with spectator admission remaining free at all venues.
|
Ticket Type |
Price |
Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
|
Platinum Club |
$2,850 |
2 credentials, vehicle entry all venues, preferred parking, 5 hotel nights, exclusive dinner, daily lunch, swag |
|
Gold Club |
$485 |
2 credentials, vehicle entry all venues, preferred parking, 1 hospitality lunch, swag |
|
Long Hauler |
$235 |
2 credentials, vehicle entry all venues, Long Hauler plaque |
|
Single Day |
$60 |
1-day vehicle entry and credentials for 2 |
|
Spectator |
Free |
General admission at all venues |
All registrations are non-refundable. Tickets are transferable until May 30, 2026, through the official transfer portal. Photo ID is required at credential pickup, and each ticket purchaser must collect their own credentials on-site.
What Activities Are Available at the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 offers 5 primary activities across its venues.
- Drag racing – Open to registered participants at dragstrip-equipped venues, including Joliet and St. Louis; helmets required
- Autocross – Open to registered participants at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis; helmets required
- Burnout competitions – Available at select venues for registered participants
- Manufacturer midway – A commercial exhibition area featuring automotive parts, accessories, and performance brands
- Main-stage entertainment – Live performances and event programming at each daily stop
What Are the Vehicle Rules for the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
The Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 accepts any car or truck of any year, make, or model. Motorcycles and RV homes are not permitted. All participating vehicles must be driven into and out of each venue under their own power. Trailering vehicles to venues is prohibited – participants who trailer must park off-site and drive the vehicle from the trailer location into the event entrance.
What Do Long Haulers Receive at the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
Long Haulers who complete all 5 days of the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 receive a plaque, a certificate, and qualifying credits for giveaway eligibility. The Long Hauler package includes vehicle entry at every venue, credentials for 2 adults, and a window decal. Long Hauler is the entry-level full-tour ticket at $235 and is the most popular participation tier for attendees driving the complete route.
What Should You Know Before Attending the Hot Rod Power Tour 2026?
Attendees should prepare 5 key items before arriving at any Hot Rod Power Tour 2026 venue.
- Pre-register before arrival – On-site registration is available via QR code but pre-registration is strongly encouraged to avoid delays at credential pickup
- Bring a helmet – Helmets are required for all drag racing and autocross participation
- Book hotels early – Anthony Travel (On Location) serves as the official travel partner and can be reached at motortrend@onlocationexp.com or 844-406-6850
- Carry cash – Many vendors at each stop do not accept digital payments
- Prepare your vehicle in advance – Participants with older vehicles are advised to test for mechanical reliability before the tour, as roadside assistance is not provided by the event
Tour departures each morning start near the previous day’s venue. Participants are not required to follow the official cruise route but doing so places the vehicle within the rolling car show portion of the event. Credentials picked up on Day 1 remain valid for all subsequent stops without additional check-ins.
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