Owensboro will roll out the red carpet for hundreds of vintage cars and their crews when the Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire makes an overnight stop downtown next week.
The nine-day classic car rally covers more than 2,300 miles and features 120 antique automobiles. This year’s route begins June 21 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and concludes June 29 in Irmo, South Carolina, with 17 city stops along the way — including Owensboro’s Veterans Boulevard on Tuesday, June 24.
Racers are expected to arrive around 4:30 p.m. and will stay until approximately 8 p.m., allowing the community to get up close to the cars and meet the drivers.
“We’ve been very fortunate to host stops and starts for the Great Race over the last couple of years,” said Dave Kirk with Visit Owensboro. “It’s very unusual for them to stop in a city more than once, but organizers have told us Owensboro does a great job welcoming the racers into their city. Don’t miss out on seeing them next Tuesday, as it will be the last time for a very long time that you’ll have the chance to see them.”
Great Race director Jeff Stumb added to Kirk’s sentiment.
“When the Great Race pulls into a city, it becomes an instant festival,” Stumb said. “Last year, we had several overnight stops with more than 10,000 spectators, on our way to having 250,000 people see the Great Race during the event. There are more than 500 people just in our entourage.”
The evening will feature family-friendly activities, including food trucks and live outdoor music at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, along with a bar for those who wish to enjoy a drink.
Organizers said spectators can expect to see rare vehicles, including eligible cars, trucks, and motorcycles dating back to 1974 or earlier. The oldest entries this year include a 1913 Chevrolet, a 1916 Hudson, and a 1918 American LaFrance.
First held in 1983, the Great Race is a competitive time, speed, and distance rally, not just a leisurely cruise. Drivers and navigators follow precise daily instructions and are scored at secret checkpoints along the route. The lowest score wins, and there’s a total purse of $160,000 up for grabs, with $50,000 going to the overall winner.
For more information, visit www.greatrace.com or the Great Race Facebook page.
