Hemmings Great Race Grand Finale at Pasadena City Hall, June 28

Catch the Grand Finale of the Route 66 classic Hemmings Great Car race on Sunday (Photo – Visit Pasadena)

The Hemmings Great Race Grand Finale is rolling into Southern California, bringing a cross-country rally of antique automobiles to the Inland Empire and Pasadena for two unforgettable days.

By Melanie Hooks

Not your typical car event, the Great Race is built around movement, with 120 antique automobiles traveling more than 2,300 miles before reaching the finish line in Southern California.

The 2026 route celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, adding an extra layer of nostalgia for anyone drawn to classic cars, roadside Americana, historic highways, and the appeal of seeing vintage machinery used the way it was originally intended.

The nine-day rally begins in Springfield, Illinois, on June 20, 2026, and finishes in Pasadena on Sunday, June 28. The Grand Finale is scheduled to begin in front of Pasadena City Hall at 1:15 pm, with participating cars on view until 4:00 pm.

The event is free to the public, and its format typically allows spectators to see the cars up close, talk with participants, and experience an antique rally field that doesn’t pass through town every weekend.

San Bernardino will host Day 8’s overnight stop on Saturday, June 27, at 5:15 pm at San Manuel Stadium, offering an early opportunity to see the entrants before the final push to Pasadena.

After all, any day on this kind of wild ride could be a classic car’s last before a well-earned rest.

Route details and photos can be found at greatrace.com, with Pasadena event information available via Visit Pasadena.

Hemmings Great Race Grand Finale
Sunday, June 28, 2026
1:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Pasadena City Hall
100 N. Garfield Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Free.