2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno Celebrates 30 Years of Desert Racing Excellence
2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno Celebrates 30 Years of Desert Racing Excellence
RENO, Nev. — The legendary 2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno – "The Other Way" presented by Camburg / MagnaFlow returns August 12–16, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of America's longest off-road race with a historic twist that has never before been attempted.
For the first time in the event's history, competitors will race the course in reverse, traveling from Reno to Las Vegas across nearly 500 miles of Nevada's most demanding desert terrain. Dubbed "The Other Way," the anniversary edition honors three decades of off-road racing history while giving racers an entirely new challenge on one of the sport's most iconic courses. 339 Total Entries and 806 Unique entrants racers will take on the epic challenge of a lifetime.
Serving as one of five rounds in the 2026 American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC), the race is expected to attract more than 300 teams from around the world, with championship battles tightening as competitors tackle one of the longest and most physically demanding races in North America.
"The 30th Anniversary of Vegas to Reno is more than a celebration of one race—it's a celebration of the racers, volunteers, sponsors, and fans who have made this event one of the greatest traditions in off-road motorsports," said Matt Martelli, CEO of Unlimited Off-Road Racing. "Running the course in reverse creates an entirely new race. Every note, every line, every strategy changes. It's the ultimate way to celebrate thirty years while creating another chapter in the race's incredible history."
Race Week Begins in Reno
Festivities begin Wednesday August 12th as race teams qualify for critical start positions just outside of Reno at the Dayton Rodeo grounds from starting at 10 am. Qualifying is free and open to the public. Spectators are just asked to stay 100ft back from the course.
Thursday August 13th transforms downtown Reno into the largest off-road celebration in Northern Nevada during the Reno Off-Road Festival, where thousands of fans will experience championship race vehicles, manufacturer displays, sponsor activations, live entertainment, and driver meet-and-greets. The free festival has become one of the premier off-road lifestyle events in the western United States, bringing together leading aftermarket manufacturers, race teams, industry partners, and off-road enthusiasts for an unforgettable day directly in front of the J Resort in the heart of downtown Reno.
Jeremy Renner Named Grand Marshal
Academy Award-nominated actor, Nevada native, and avid off-road enthusiast Jeremy Renner will serve as Grand Marshal for the 30th Anniversary celebration. Renner will participate in race week festivities, meet fans during the Reno Off-Road Festival, support the RennerVation Foundation, and compete in the race alongside the sport's top competitors, adding another exciting chapter to one of the biggest race weeks in event history.
505 Miles Across Nevada
Friday August 14th Following the Off-Road Festival in Reno, competitors will head south across nearly 505 miles of Nevada's rugged high desert, navigating mountain ranges, dry lake beds, rocky canyons, and endless desert valleys before reaching the finish line in Las Vegas. 4 wheel Racers will launch from the start line at the Dayton Rodeo grounds at beginning at 10am. Spectating at the star line is free and open to the public. Spectators are just asked to stay 100ft back from the course.Car pooling is strongly suggested as there is limited parking at the start area.
The reverse course presents a completely new challenge, even for veteran competitors who have raced Vegas to Reno for decades. Familiar landmarks become unfamiliar approaches, forcing teams to rethink race strategy, pit logistics, navigation, and vehicle setup. With valuable championship points on the line, every mile will matter.
Watch The Race Live Around The World
Fans around the globe will be able to experience every mile of the 30th Anniversary Casey Folks Vegas to Reno through free live coverage all race weekend. Produced by Mad Media, the broadcast will feature live race coverage from the course, helicopter and drone footage, onboard cameras, pit reports, racer interviews, live timing and tracking integration, and expert commentary as the world's best desert racers battle across nearly 500 miles of Nevada. Whether following from Reno, Las Vegas, or anywhere in the world, fans can watch the action unfold live and free on BITD.com, YouTube, and Facebook, bringing America's longest off-road race to audiences like never before.
The full Livestream will be simulcast on FOX Sports Youtube, RACER network and Speed Sport 1 network reaching tens of millions of motorsports enthusiasts annually across television, digital, streaming, and social media.
Championship Battles Heat Up
As the fourth round of the unified American Off-Road Racing Championship, Vegas to Reno represents one of the most critical races of the season.The event's 505-mile course tests endurance, preparation, and reliability unlike any other race on the calendar. Mechanical failures, navigation mistakes, changing weather, and relentless terrain have historically made Vegas to Reno one of the toughest races to finish—making every championship point earned especially valuable. The world's best Unlimited Trucks, Unlimited Class 1 cars, UTVs, motorcycles, and desert racing classes will all battle for one of the sport's most prestigious victories.
Thirty Years of Desert Racing History
Since its inaugural running in 1996, Casey Folks' vision of creating America's longest point-to-point off-road race has grown into one of the premier events in international desert racing. What began as an ambitious idea has become a bucket-list race for competitors from around the world, known for its breathtaking scenery, incredible challenge, and unmatched sense of adventure. Covering nearly the entire state of Nevada, Vegas to Reno has produced unforgettable moments, legendary victories, and countless stories of perseverance.
Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the race continues to honor Casey Folks' legacy while pushing the sport into a new era through the unified American Off-Road Racing Championship. For racers, simply finishing Vegas to Reno is an accomplishment. Winning it is forever.
For complete race information, schedules, spectator guides, and to watch the livestream, visit BITD.com
About American Off-Road Racing Championship
The American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) is the premier desert off-road racing league in North America, created through the unification of Best in the Desert (BITD) and Unlimited Off-Road Racing (UNLTD).
Best in the Desert, founded in 1984 by legendary racer Casey Folks, is the longest-running and most respected off-road racing series in the U.S., with a legacy that includes iconic events like Vegas to Reno, the Silver State 300, the Parker 425, and the Laughlin Desert Classic.
Unlimited Off-Road Racing, established by the Martelli Brothers in 2023, produces world-class events such as The Mint 400, The California 300, and The Parker 400. UNLTD is recognized for its focus on innovation, storytelling, and large-scale racer participation, with events known for high car counts, challenging courses, pre-running, and family-friendly fan experiences near major markets.
Together under the AORC banner, BITD and UNLTD preserve the heritage of desert racing while building its future—offering racers, sponsors, and fans a unified championship built on clarity, consistency, and world-class competition.
For more information, visit
americanoffroadchampionship.com