NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Tom Bailey, Alex Taylor, Bryant Goldstone, David Schroeder, Tom McGilton, and a stacked field of drag-and-drive all-stars bring street-driven horsepower and Route 66 cruising to Chicago-area fans this weekend.

The high-horsepower street machine madness of drag-and-drive competition returns to Route 66 Raceway this weekend as the Peak Street Car Shootout becomes part of the action surrounding the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak weekend. 

The exhibition-style event blends street driving, drag racing, and real-world performance with some of the biggest names in the drag-and-drive world piloting genuine street cars capable of stunning elapsed times. 

“The Peak Street Car Shootout is a throwback to the original roots of drag racing — real street cars driven to the track, raced hard, and driven back home," said Brian Bohlander, director of marketing – sports and partnerships, Old World Industries / Peak. "That spirit is the foundation of our sport, and this exhibition showcases some of the quickest, most capable street-legal performance cars in the country today.”

This year’s featured drivers include Alex Taylor, Nick Taylor, Bryant Goldstone, Ed Ensor, Tom McGilton, Tom Bailey, David Schroeder, and Craig Groebner, bringing together an impressive mix of fan-favorite cars and engine combinations. 

Among the headliners is longtime drag-and-drive standout Tom Bailey, who will debut his newly transformed “Spirit of ’76” Dodge Dart during the Chicago weekend while balancing one of the busiest stretches of his racing season. 

“Right now is the super hectic time,” Bailey said while preparing to leave for Chicago. “We got back from Norwalk, jumped right into our Cheap Car Challenge build, and now we’re trying to get the car back together so we can leave for Chicago.” 

Bailey’s latest creation is a '76 Dodge Dart formerly owned by Hot Rod magazine alumni Elana Scherr, now powered by a 6.2L blown, Redeye-based Dodge engine combination featuring a camshaft and valvetrain package upgrade backed by an ZF 8HP70 transmission. The car recently tipped the scales at 3,600 pounds and ran 9.12 seconds in Norwalk trim, but Bailey believes the combination has much more in it. 

“We’re hoping with the converter change we can get it into the 8s without spraying it with nitrous or anything,” Bailey said. “It’s just an off-the-shelf type deal. It drives like a new car on the street.” The car retains a full interior, carpet, sound deadening, mufflers, and highway-friendly 3.0:1 rear gearing, making it a true street-driven machine despite its performance potential. 

“It does 80 miles an hour at 1,800 rpm,” Bailey added. “It’s just a cool, fun deal.” 

Fans attending the Route 66 NHRA Nationals weekend will also have opportunities to see the competitors outside the racetrack environment as portions of the event include Route 66-style street driving and cruising throughout the Chicago area, continuing the signature drag-and-drive spirit that has made these Peak events wildly popular among grassroots racers and fans alike. 

"I am looking forward to running my nitrous Corvette this weekend at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals," said David Schroeder. "It is a great group of people participating, and it is pretty wicked to be able to race on this stage with our street cars."

The Route 66 Shootout is part of a packed early summer schedule for many of the competitors, with Sick Speed Fest in Bowling Green, Ky., scheduled later this month before racers regroup again for Sick Summer in June, which concludes near Byron Dragway. 

Peak Street Car Shootout Schedule 

Friday, May 15 

Friday’s Peak Street Car Shootout action begins with the first time trial session at 12:30 p.m. before competitors return to the track for a second session at 6:15 p.m. Fans will also see two Nitro qualifying sessions, Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock qualifying, Pro Mod action, Factory Stock Showdown qualifying, and Hot Rod Junction Cacklefest activity throughout the day. 

Saturday, May 16

Saturday features another Peak Street Car Shootout time trial session at 11:20 a.m. before eliminations officially begin with Round 1 at 4:25 p.m. The day also includes NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying and Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, along with Factory Stock Showdown eliminations and Top Alcohol competition. 

Sunday, May 17

Sunday’s focus shifts fully toward eliminations as the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins eliminations at 11 a.m. with Top Fuel. Fans can also catch Top Alcohol and Factory Stock Showdown eliminations earlier in the morning along with the SealMaster NHRA Track Walk and driver introductions featuring Chris Karamesines. Competition for the Peak Street Car Shootout runs throughout the weekend during the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, giving fans a unique opportunity to experience modern street-car performance culture alongside 340-mph NHRA Championship Drag Racing.

Fans looking to experience the full Route 66 NHRA Nationals weekend can purchase tickets now to see the Peak Street Car Shootout, Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competition, Nitro qualifying, Factory Stock Showdown action, and more live at Route 66 Raceway. 

Fans unable to attend in person can catch complete coverage all weekend long on NHRA.tv and nationwide television coverage on NHRA on FOX.