Springfield: Vintage Cars Roll Into Downtown for $50,000 Great Race Start on Historic Route 66

The Starting Line Comes to Springfield

Springfield will serve as the official starting point for the 2026 Hemmings Great Race, a nine-day vintage automobile rally that covers 2,300 miles along Route 66 to Pasadena, California.

The race begins Saturday morning on Sixth Street between Jefferson and Capitol avenues, with the first vehicle scheduled to leave at 11 a.m. The event coincides with the Old Capitol Farmers Market, giving residents and visitors a chance to see the cars before they depart.

"We've been preparing for this year for the last eight years," said Scott Dahl, Executive Director of Visit Springfield. "We have over 20 co-branded Route 66 events this year, and we're seeing the leisure visitor show up."

Why Springfield Got the Nod

Springfield hosted an overnight stop for the Great Race last year. City officials spent three years working to secure the starting line for 2026, according to Dahl.

"We locked it in early," Dahl said. "It's been so nice having our city on all their marketing materials for the past year."

Dahl said the Great Race is not expected to start in Springfield again. He called this year's event a unique opportunity for residents and visitors.

"This is it," he said. "If you want to get downtown and see those cars, this is your chance."

The Route 66 Centennial Factor

The Great Race is part of the official Route 66 Centennial celebrations. The highway turns 100 years old in 2026, and Springfield is positioning itself as a key destination on the 300 miles of Illinois Route 66.

Dahl said the city is already seeing international visitors this summer. Some travelers are combining Route 66 celebrations with trips to cities hosting FIFA World Cup matches.

"We're seeing international travelers this summer already because of the FIFA World Cup," Dahl said.

What to Know About the Race

The 2026 Hemmings Great Race features 125 vehicles built between 1913 and 1974. Competitors do not race for speed. They compete for precision and endurance as they navigate checkpoints along the route.

A $50,000 first-place prize is awarded to the winner.

Key details:

• Date: June 20, 2026
• Start time: 11 a.m.
• Location: Sixth Street between Jefferson and Capitol avenues, downtown Springfield
• Cost: Free for spectators
• Route: 2,300 miles along Route 66 from Springfield to Pasadena, California
• Duration: 9 days
• Vehicles: 125 vintage automobiles from 1913 to 1974

Participants arrived in downtown Springfield ahead of Saturday's start. The public can view the cars Friday as drivers make final adjustments to their vehicles.

Festivities begin Saturday morning with music and displays featuring the Cool Cruisers car club.

"The public is invited, it's free," Dahl said. "It'll be an atmosphere that you want to be part of."

A Busy Weekend in Springfield

The Great Race weekend kicked off with a downtown drone show celebrating Juneteenth and the arrival of the race. Dahl called the opening event a success and credited cooperation among city, state, and federal partners.

The Route 66 Centennial calendar lists additional events throughout Illinois this summer, including a cycling tour from St. Louis to Chicago and a 6.6K race series in Dwight.