Stars Hit the Gas: Chicago to Santa Monica via Red Rocks and Neon on Route 66’s 100th Birthday Highway

The Great American Road Rally: Where Legacy Meets the Open Road

This morning brought an unexpected spark of inspiration when Bart Walker, owner of WGNS Radio in Murfreesboro, invited me to stop by Action Line.

I thought it would be the perfect time to bring a guest along who shares that same passion for adventure and nostalgia. I reached out to Eric Richey, owner of Crusader Auto Works in Smyrna. Eric is no doubt a ‘car guy.’ What’s cool is that Eric is also a partner at 7 Bridges Media Group, an entertainment production company producing a reality TV show that will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

Set to air in prime time on the CW network in Summer 2026, this 12-episode series will take viewers on an unforgettable journey along America’s Mother Road, weaving together the rich stories and history that have made Route 66 an enduring symbol of American adventure.

I knew host Scott Walker, himself a true car enthusiast(and rumor has it, a Lamborghini owner), would enjoy the conversation.

That blend of passion, storytelling, and horsepower perfectly captures what The Great American Road Rally: Celebrity Edition is all about. The upcoming televised coast-to-coast competition will bring together 250 teams of road rally warriors and 10 celebrity crews to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. This once-in-a-century event fuses speed, skill, and soul as teams travel through the heart of America, facing surprise detours and heartfelt pit stops—all while driving for the causes they care about.

At its core, the Road Rally is more than a race. It’s about connecting people who love the journey as much as the destination. It’s where community, compassion, and competition share the same road.
The Great American Road Rally: Celebrity Edition reminds us that every mile tells a story, every driver makes a difference, and every dream deserves the open highway.

The History of Route 66

Route 66, affectionately known as the “Mother Road,” stands as one of America’s most iconic highways, representing freedom, adventure, and the spirit of westward expansion. Established in 1926, this legendary thoroughfare stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, weaving through eight states and the heart of America.

The highway was conceived as part of the original U.S. Highway System, designed to connect rural communities with urban centers. Entrepreneur Cyrus Avery, often called the “Father of Route 66,” championed the road’s creation, recognizing its potential to boost economic development across the nation’s midsection. The route passed through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, linking small towns that had previously been isolated.

During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Route 66 gained profound significance as thousands of farming families fled the devastated Great Plains, seeking opportunity in California. John Steinbeck immortalized this exodus in “The Grapes of Wrath,” dubbing the highway the “Mother Road” and cementing its place in American consciousness.

The road’s golden age arrived after World War II, when prosperity and automobile culture flourished. Motor courts, diners, gas stations, and quirky roadside attractions sprouted along the route, creating a unique roadside culture. Families embarked on cross-country adventures, and Route 66 became synonymous with the American road trip.

However, the Interstate Highway System, authorized in 1956, spelled the route’s eventual demise. Faster, more efficient interstates bypassed the old road, and businesses that depended on Route 66 traffic withered. The highway was officially decommissioned in 1985.
Today, Route 66 enjoys a vigorous revival as a heritage route. Preservationists have worked to maintain historic sites, and travelers from around the world seek out remaining stretches of pavement to experience a piece of Americana. The Mother Road endures not as transportation infrastructure, but as a powerful symbol of American history and culture.

If you’d like more information or want to get involved with The Great American Road Rally visit AmericanRoadRally.com