Want to go to a car show this weekend? Of course you do. If you happen to be in Southern California, head to the Fairplex in Pomona for the 76th annual Grand National Roadster Show to check out hundreds of hot rods and customs, muscle cars, classics, and trucks.
Founded by Al and Mary Slonaker in Oakland, California (and previously known as the Oakland Roadster Show), the GNRS has grown to be “longest running indoor car show in the world!”
Expect to see more than 500 vehicles inside the Fairplex competing for a variety of awards. Entrants with 1937 and earlier U.S. production-based roadsters, roadster pickups, phaetons, touring cars, and even designer roadsters that resemble 1937 or older U.S.-built roadsters are eligible to win the most desired prize of the event: the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award, which the GNRS deems “the ultimate recognition in the world of Hot Rodding.” Officially, the award is $12,500 in prize money and a replica of the nine-foot-tall perpetual trophy. Joining the ranks of greats such as George Barris and Boyd Coddington is a nice bonus.
Those with any vehicle that’s not a roadster have a chance of going home with the Al Slonaker Memorial Award, which recognizes the best non-roadster vehicle at the GNRS. According to the GNRS website, “ARP Fasteners presents the award, which brings a prize of $12,500 and a custom billet trophy.”
Other indoor attractions include the 1940-60s hot rods, customs, and drag cars inside the Suede Palace, and Fat Attack! at the Feature Building, which will be filled with 1935-48 fat-fendered cars and trucks in a variety of styles, from Pro Street machines to race cars.
There will be plenty of outdoor action at the 2026 GNRS, too. You can join the Grand Daddy Drive-In and possibly win an Editor’s Pick award. At the very least, you’ll get an eyeful of 800-1,000 hot rods and customs, classics, muscle cars, and trucks parked outside the Fairplex (which sounds like its own kind of victory).
The 2026 Grand National Roadster Show runs 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1. General admission is $45 for people 13 and older; tickets for kids ages 6-12 are $10 (children 5 and younger get in free). For more information about events, parking, lodging, and more, go to the GNRS website by clicking here.
