© Hot Rod Network Staff
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Any normal year it's a no-brainer to decide which automotive events you're going to attend. Everybody has their favorite handful of must-see things each year based on their interests and how deep into their project car they've gotten. But the year 2021 has thrown us a bit of a curve ball. With the global pandemic forcing the cancellation of many cherished outings, you just may have to call an audible at the line of scrimmage. We published our Top 10 Must-See Events story in late January, and since then some of these events have changed, so we're updating the list periodically (this is update #4-as of May 4) to reduce confusion.
STILL ON: HOT ROD Power Tour & Drag Week Update
© Hot Rod Network Staff The good news at the start of May is that the HOT ROD Power Tour Presented by HP Tuners and Driven by Continental Tire is now officially on for this year with firm dates set for August 23 to 27. The tour stops are all in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois for 2021, and to get the details on each stop, please check out the story here.
Related: Register for the 2021 HOT ROD Power Tour Here!
In related news, HOT ROD Drag Week Presented by Gear Vendors will also be returning for 2021, and those dates are set for September 12 to 17 with the kick-off happening at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan. For the full schedule of dates and towns, click here.
COMPLETED: Carlisle Spring Nationals, April 20 24, 2022
Where: Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Carlisle Fairgrounds)
© Hot Rod Network Staff The Carlisle Spring Nationals for 2021 is in the books, but Carlisle Events now has the 2022 Spring Nationals in planning stages, and you can check out the info on Carlisle's website here. This outdoor all-make car show and swap meet happens at the Carlisle Fairgrounds where there's plenty of room for rows of gleaming Detroit iron and the parts to make them complete. All of Carlisle Events' shows are huge, and if you missed out in April, the Fall Carlisle Nationals is coming again on September 29 and lasts through October 3, 2021.
CANCELLED: Detroit Autorama, April 30 May 2
Detroit, Michigan (Cobo Hall)
© Hot Rod Network Staff Of all the Autorama shows, the Detroit Autorama is the big daddy. After aiming to hold their main Detroit event on April 30 through May 2, promoters had to cancel the indoor event due to Covid indoor restriction. The Detroit Autorama takes place in Detroit's famous Cobo Hall (don't be confused, it's been renamed the TFC Center), a magnificent sprawling facility with plenty of room for thousands of cars. Look for the Detroit Autorama to return in 2022 on the tentative dates of March 4 through 6.
CANCELLED: Back to the '50s, June 18 20
Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota State Fairgrounds)
© Hot Rod Network Staff This important right of Spring for the nostalgic 1950's car crowd draws street rods, customs, and vintage '50s machinery from all over the country and is a must-see for fans located in the Midwest. Cruising is king, so make sure to arrive with a full tank. We checked the Back to the '50s website to verify things are still on for June 18 to 20, and as of May 4, the event for 2021 has been cancelled. Back To The '50s promoters have rescheduled the event for June 17 to 19, 2022.
STILL ON: Goodguys Columbus, July 9 11
Columbus, Ohio (Ohio State Fairgrounds)
© Hot Rod Network Staff Of all the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association events, Columbus is the big one where the major awards are given, including Street Rod of the Year and Street Machine of the Year. (Make sure to check out Goodguys Health & Safety Guidelines for this mostly outdoors event.) We can't begin to describe it except to say you'll want to ride the Ohio State Fairgrounds tram to see it all. After having to reschedule their springtime event in Del Mar, California to October 1 due to lockdown restrictions, there may have been some confusion surrounding Goodguys' other events, but at the moment the 23rd Summit Racing Nationals is still on the schedule for the Ohio State Fairgrounds on July 9.
STILL ON: Hot August Nights, August 3 8
Reno / Sparks, Nevada
© Hot Rod Network Staff For those on or near the West Coast, few events can rival Hot August Nights. This week-long bacchanal with many satellite events happens in the Reno / Sparks area, one of the top resort and gambling centers, making it a fun place to visit even when it's not overtaken with car crazy fans. On a more serious note, Hot August Nights staff have lost two of their five staff members to Covid and have set up a Covid relief fund to help mitigate the hardship of affected families. If you appreciate what Hot August Nights has done for the hot rodding community and want to support the event's continuation past 2021, we urge you to donate here. That said, as of May 4, the world-famous event is still on for August 3. As for Reno's spring event-the Spring Fever Revival Show-n-Shine-Covid restrictions have reshaped the event (still on May 22) from a static car show into a classic car poker run, and you can get all the details here.
STILL ON: NSRA Street Rod Nationals, August 5 8
Louisville, Kentucky (Kentucky Exposition Center)
© Hot Rod Network Staff One of the few events not to get cancelled in 2020, the NSRA Street Rod Nationals will be back on August 4 to 8, 2021. As of May 4, we heard directly from NSRA marketing director, Jim Rowlett, that the Street Rod Nationals is still a go. In Louisville you will find a lot more than just street rods, including late-models, muscle cars, vintage racers, and best of all, the nicest indoor midway for hot rod products outside of the SEMA show.
STILL ON: Woodward Dream Cruise, August 21
Detroit, Michigan
© Hot Rod Network Staff As the home of the American auto industry it's only fitting that Detroit would host not one, but two of the biggest car meets on the planet. The Woodward Dream Cruise is a less-formal (than Autorama) miles-long car cruise / show with myriad parties for every make. Skidmarks are encouraged! Woodward Dream Cruise is still on for August 21 (as of May 4), but with events this far out things may change, so please check back.
STILL ON: Shades of the Past, September 10 11
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
© Hot Rod Network Staff Home to the Triple Crown of Rodding, Shades of the Past is the brainchild of master car builder Bobby Alloway. Years ago, the Tennessee car-building icon decided to hold a local show ostensibly for street rods, but don't let that stop you from taking a badass muscle car as you'll find plenty there. Shades of the Past is still months away and there's been no change to the initial September 10 date, but check back for updates later.
STILL ON: Hershey AACA Fall Meet, October 6 - 9
Hershey, Pennsylvania
© Hot Rod Network Staff Known unofficially as the world's largest antique car swap meet, the AACA Hershey Fall Meet has everything including a car show and project car corral. If you are into memorabilia or looking for rare parts to finish your project, Hershey should be your first and last stop. We dare you to see the whole thing. Festivities are still a go for Hershey's AACA Fall Meet on October 6, and organizers have added a FAQ for first-time attendees that will prove helpful (here).
STILL ON: Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN), November 20 21
Chicago, Illinois (Stephens Convention Center)
© Hot Rod Network Staff Like the Detroit Autorama in that it's held indoors in a major midwestern city in colder months, MCACN is a favorite of the muscle car crowd while Detroit is a rodding-centric affair. Restorations, barn finds, survivors, vintage drag, seminars, vendors, and special themes abound. If you love muscle, MCACN is the perfect way to close out your muscle car year. With events as far out as MCACN, there's not much to update regarding Covid lockdown restrictions; the event's website still reports the November 20 starting date as valid and we'll be checking back with them later in the spring to update things.
Make-Specific Must-Sees
© Hot Rod Network Staff Our list was too short to include some of the larger make-specific shows, but if you want to take a deep dive into your favorite brand one of these three shows may be more your cup of tea.
GM-Specific
Carlisle GM Nationals-Carlisle, Pennsylvania June 25 26, 2021-STILL HAPPENING AS OF MAY 4
Ford-Specific
NMRA World Finals-Bowling Green, Kentucky September 30 October 3-STILL HAPPENING AS OF May 4, EVENT LINK HAS BEEN UPDATED
© Hot Rod Network Staff Mopar-Specific
Mopar Nats-Hebron, Ohio (National Trail Raceway) August 13 15-STILL HAPPENING AS OF MAY 4
© Hot Rod Network Staff