SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The CW’s new celebrity-driven television event, The Great American Road Rally™, will film in Springfield on Friday, Aug. 7, during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. Hosted by actor Ian Ziering, best known for his role as Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210 and his starring role in the Sharknado film series, the show will showcase Springfield as part of a cross-country journey along historic Route 66 during the Centennial celebration of the Mother Road.
Premiering this fall on The CW, The Great American Road Rally™ takes audiences on a high-energy adventure along America’s most iconic highway, where celebrity participants tackle unique challenges, share personal stories and spotlight charitable organizations making an impact in communities across the country.
The Springfield stop comes during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, Aug. 7-8, a celebration of the history, culture and legacy of the iconic highway. As the Birthplace of Route 66, Springfield has a unique connection to the Mother Road and continues to welcome travelers from around the world to experience its Route 66 attractions, businesses and stories.
“Springfield continues to attract storytellers who want to share our community with audiences across the country,” said Andrea Copeland, Vice President of Marketing for Visit Springfield. “Every opportunity to showcase Springfield on a national stage helps introduce new visitors to our destination. We hope viewers are inspired to experience Springfield’s Route 66 story and discover the places and people that make our community a must-visit destination along the Mother Road.”
Festival attendees will have the opportunity to meet celebrity participants from The Great American Road Rally™ during a special meet-and-greet event Friday, Aug. 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the parking lot across from Hotel Vandivort, next to Shot Shack, in downtown Springfield. The free, public event will feature approximately 3-4 recognizable vehicles from popular television and movies, including the Batmobile, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine and additional featured vehicles, along with opportunities for fans to meet celebrity drivers from the series. No registration or sign-up is required.
Cast members from The Great American Road Rally™ will also make appearances throughout the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, including KY3 News interviews during the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts on the Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks Stage and cast introductions at 6:30 p.m. on the Aaron Sachs Stage.
“The Great American Road Rally™ was created to celebrate the American spirit, the open road, the legacy of Route 66, and the power of entertainment to bring people together for something meaningful,” says Ziering. “It's so much more than a road-trip series, it is a national celebration of community, generosity, American culture, and the charitable spirit that connects us all.”
The Great American Road Rally™ premieres Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW and will air Wednesdays through Nov. 25, 2026.
For more information about The Great American Road Rally™, visit
www.americanroadrally.com
About The Great American Road Rally™
The Great American Road Rally™ is a celebrity-driven television event celebrating the history, culture, people, and communities of historic Route 66 while raising awareness and support for charitable organizations across America. Hosted by Ian Ziering, the series combines adventure, competition, storytelling, music, sports, comedy, philanthropy, and audience participation into a uniquely American television experience where the true winners are the organizations and causes being served.
