FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2026

Kingman, AZ — The City of Kingman has been selected as a hosted stop for the 2026 Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire, a nationally recognized vintage car rally that will travel more than 2,300 miles across eight states in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

The Great Race is scheduled to stop in Kingman on Friday, June 26, 2026, bringing approximately 120 antique automobiles, their drivers, navigators, and support teams to the heart of the historic Mother Road. The event is free and open to the public. Kingman’s selection reflects its continued role as a key destination for Route 66–themed events during the Centennial year.

“Events like the Hemmings Great Race bring national attention to Kingman and reinforce our position as a premier Route 66 destination,” said Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins. “With the Route 66 Centennial approaching, we are seeing increased interest in our community, including the recent Route 66 Caravans visit, and we are proud to be part of the Great Race’s Route 66 Centennial journey.”

The Great Race was started in 1983 by Tom McRae and is now the world’s premier vintage car rally. This traveling time/speed/endurance rally isn’t just a casual back road cruise, as it has a strict set of rules to keep competition tight. The vehicles, each with a driver and navigator, are given precise instructions each day that detail every move down to the second. They are scored at secret checkpoints along the route and are penalized for arriving at the checkpoints early or late. As in golf, the lowest score wins. The total purse for the event is $160,000 split among five classes, with the overall winner taking home $50,000.

For 2026, the Great Race will follow a Route 66–themed course, beginning on Saturday, June 20, in Springfield, Illinois, and concluding on Sunday, June 28, in Pasadena, California. Kingman will be one of 17 hosted city stops along the way.

Additional details regarding the Great Race stop in Kingman, including event location, timing, and public activities, will be announced closer to the event date. More information about the Hemmings Great Race is available at www.greatrace.com

About Kingman
Founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1952, Kingman is the county seat of Mohave County located in northwest Arizona along Interstate 40, U.S. 93, and the historically famous Route 66. The city’s population is 32,689, and approximately 60,000 including neighboring communities. Kingman is a general law city that operates under a council/city manager form of government with a mayor and six councilmembers elected at large. City government provides a wide range of municipal services that include administration, development services, engineering, public works, parks and recreation, water, sewer and sanitation services, and fire and police.