Great Race - Waynesville Square

Venue

Waynesville Square

301 Historic Route 66 E

Waynesville, mo 65583

Event Organizer

Great Race - City of Waynesville

(573) 774-5121

doug.potts@waynesvillemo.org

Experience the excitement as the 2026 Great Race arrives in Waynesville!   This year, the legendary rally celebrates the Route 66 Centennial, running from Springfield, IL to Santa Monica, CA along the historic highway.

 The public is invited to watch and meet the competitors who arrive for their lunch stop on the Waynesville Square.  130 competitors arrive 1 minute apart in a variety of antique, vintage, and collector car.  Older cars are from the early 1900’s with the 1974 as the oldest eligible car. 

The tentative schedule for the Waynesville lunch stop is as follows: the kick off ceremony begins at noon, with competitors rolling in starting at 12:10pm, one-minute intervals, each remaining for up to one hour before departing.  The last car will depart no later than 2:30pm.  Spector parking will be available at City lots, and competitor parking is around the square. 

Watch for more details in the coming months!

Cars will arrive via I-44 Exit 159, entering Route 66 west bound heading into Waynesville.  They will arrive at the corner of Route 66/Benton Street, be announced, then led to park around the square.  They will depart the Waynesville Square via Route 66 heading westward.

Businesses are encouraged to be open for the spectators and competitors!

 

What is the Great Race?  It is a competitive controlled-speed endurance road rally on public highways. It is not a test of top speed. It is a test of a driver/navigator team’s ability to follow precise course instructions and the car team’s ability to endure on a cross-country trip.  Learn More

The Great Race – Waynesville Lunch Stop – is brought to the area by the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau and hosted by the City of Waynesville.

If you are interested in volunteering email Doug Potts at  doug.potts@waynesvillemo.org – Subject line: Great Race Volunteer Opportunities.  Volunteer opportunities include assisting with food and water distribution, directional, parking, set up and clean up. 

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities  email Doug Potts at doug.potts@waynesvillemo.org, Subject Great Race Sponsorship Opps.  Lunch, serving items, water/drinks, and other opportunities.

If your business will be open on Sunday, June 21 2026 email: email@pulaskicountyusa.com, subject line: Great Race Business Info.  The Bureau will be providing this information to the competitors and to spectators of the event.