RANTOUL, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Experience Champaign-Urbana announced on Thursday that the iconic HOT ROD Power Tour is returning to Champaign County for the fifth time next year.
The tour will stop at the Rantoul National Aviation Center on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 for the second stop of the five-day tour, which looks to bring thousands of visitors and a powerful economic boost to the area.
The HOT ROD Power Tour is one of the world’s largest traveling car shows, drawing more than 5,000 classic cars, hot rods, performance vehicles, and enthusiasts from across the country. This year, the tour will cruise along the legendary Route 66, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, starting in Joliet, Illinois and ending in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Participants caravan city to city, creating a festival-like atmosphere in each destination, an experience that the community has enthusiastically embraced previously at the State Farm Center and Parkland College.
“What an incredible opportunity to put Rantoul ‘on the map’ through the HOT ROD Power Tour as we welcome thousands of visitors,” said Scott Eisenhauer, administrator for the Village of Rantoul. “Combining the history of the tour, along with the famed 100-year-old Route 66 and our former Chanute Air Force Base, allows for an epic day of reveling in the past while creating new memories. We are looking forward to joining our fellow cities along this year’s route in developing an unforgettable experience for our visitors!”
“We’re honored to be part of the Power Tour’s route once more, and even more excited to welcome them to Rantoul National Aviation Center this year,” says Jayne DeLuce, president & CEO of Experience Champaign-Urbana. “We anticipate over $1.3 million in economic impact in less than 24 hours in our community, with hot rodders staying in our hotels, visiting area residents, and cruising to area attractions and shops. The energy this event brings is unmatched.”
Champaign County has a long and celebrated history with the HOT ROD Power Tour, previously hosting stops in 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2021, each year drawing record-breaking participation and enthusiastic community support.
In addition to the main event in Rantoul, Experience Champaign-Urbana will host the Pint Night in downtown Champaign, giving participants and residents an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and enjoy local craft beverages and live entertainment.
The 2026 HOT ROD Power Tour schedule includes:
- KICKOFF / Day 1: Monday, June 8 — Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
- Day 2: Tuesday, June 9 — Rantoul National Aviation Center, Rantoul, Illinois
- Day 3: Wednesday, June 10 — World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis, MO
- Day 4: Thursday, June 11 — Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
- Day 5: Friday, June 12 — Tulsa Raceway Park, Tulsa, OK
For more information about HOT ROD Magazine and the HOT ROD Power Tour, including how to participate on the tour, visit hotrod.com/events.
