Americana celebrations will bring a unique atmosphere to the 2026 Festival of Speed

Coinciding with the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Americana Celebration presented by Bank of America will champion every facet of American automotive culture in a single, all-encompassing showcase.

Housed within Cathedral Paddock, which in 2024 also hosted a spectacular celebration of Red Bull Racing, a carefully curated display of as many as 50 cars and bikes will tell the story of American automotive history during a year when US motorsport acknowledges several big milestones.

This year, as part of the Americana Celebration, the Festival of Speed will observe 110 years of both the Indianapolis 500 and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It’s also 75 years since the formation of the National Hot Rod Association and 60 years since the inauguration of both Can-Am and Trans-Am.

Fans of NASCAR will be catered for, too, because 2026 marks 20 years since Jimmie Johnson claimed his first Cup Series title, and there will be plenty of big, noisy V8 machinery on hand to celebrate one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history.

American motorsport will make up a major chunk of the Festival of Speed’s programme, covering the nation’s history across the likes of Formula 1, with cars from the likes of Shadow and Scarab, and the Le Mans 24 Hours, including the legendary Shelby Daytona Coupe.

One particularly incredible moment will reunite the three Ford GT MkIIs that made up the podium at Le Mans in 1966 for an unmissable run up the famous Goodwood Hill.

It won’t just be limited to American machinery either, Can-Am monsters from marques including McLaren and Porsche will also be on display, while the likes of Dario Franchitti and Emerson Fittipaldi will join American heroes like Al Unser Jr. and Kenny Roberts.

Many of the great family names that have had a major influence on global motorsport will also be celebrated, with the likes of Aaron Shelby and Kyle Petty representing their respective dynasties throughout the festival.

Away from the racetrack, this sprawling showcase will also commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Route 66, one the original US highways which garnered huge cultural significance during its near-60-year existence.

There’s plenty more still to come as we prepare for the Americana Celebration at the 2026 Festival of Speed, stay tuned to keep up with further announcements in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the Festival of Speed are on sale. Friday, Saturday and four-day passes are now sold out. Thursday tickets are selling fast and Sunday admission is limited. If you’re not already part of the GRRC, joining the Fellowship means you can save ten per cent on your 2026 tickets and grandstand passes, as well as enjoy a whole host of other on-event perks.

Photography by Raife Smith, Jochen van Cauwenberge, James Lynch and Nick Wilkinson.