Springfield,IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield is gearing up for one of the biggest weekends of the summer as the city serves as the starting point for the 2026 Great Race, a nine-day, 2,300-mile journey for vintage automobiles traveling along Route 66 to Pasadena, California. Visit Springfield Executive Director Scott Dahl said the city has spent years preparing for a tourism season fueled by the Route 66 Centennial, new attractions and increased international travel.