The Great American Detour: a Coast to Coast Drag and Drive Across America
The Great American Detour Drag and Drive is redefining endurance motorsports with a true coast to coast racing adventure that challenges competitors to build, drive, and race real street cars across America.
The event begins at the historic Red Ball Garage; the legendary starting point of America’s original cross country endurance run . From there, racers will forge their own path westward across the country, combining long distance highway driving with competitive drag racing at iconic tracks along the route.
Participants will complete an ambitious 3,250-mile journey entirely in their race cars, proving not only speed at the dragstrip but durability, preparation, and determination on the open road.
The Great American Detour blends motorsports competition with American road trip culture. Along the way, competitors will stop at multiple drag racing facilities, including:
• Beaver Springs Dragway – Pennsylvania
• Bunker Hill Dragstrip – Indiana
• Wabash Valley Dragway – Indiana
• Albuquerque Dragway – New Mexico
Following the final racing stop, competitors will undertake a demanding 1,200-mile final leg to the finish line, creating one of the longest and most challenging drag and drive experiences ever organized.
The route includes a ceremonial checkpoint at the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach, California, before competitors make their way to the official finish in the historic city of Modesto, California, at the Graffiti USA Museum, a location deeply rooted in American car culture and hot rodding history.
Celebrating American Car Culture and Cinematic Inspiration
The Great American Detour pays homage to the movies and media that shaped generations of car enthusiasts. From the cross country adventure of The Cannonball Run to the rebellious freedom of Two Lane Blacktop, the high octane fun of The Blues Brothers, and the nostalgic spirit of American Graffiti, the event captures the imagination of anyone who loves cars, racing, and the open road. Racers are not just following a course, they are living the adventure seen on the big screen, tracing the path of classic American automotive storytelling.
The Great American Detour celebrates the spirit of traditional hot rodding: real cars driven real miles under real conditions. Competitors must rely on the same vehicles they race, carrying their own tools, parts, and supplies while navigating thousands of miles of American highways.
The Great American Detour isn’t just a race, it’s an experience, This event was created to capture the spirit of cross country endurance driving and grassroots drag racing, bringing together racers who want to experience America from behind the wheel of the cars they built.
The event continues to grow thanks to the support of dedicated industry partners and grassroots supporters who help make this coast to coast challenge possible.
Official Event Supporters and Sponsors Include:
Brian Tooley Racing
Summit Racing Equipment
Disorganized Grime
Fat Body Performance
JL & CD Enterprises
Mullis Camp Racing
Poverty Racing
Drag Drive Repeat
RacingJunk Classifieds