Community and Culture Converge at Wally Parks NHRA Museum’s June Cars & Coffee

The grounds of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum were transformed into a vibrant showcase of American automotive culture on Saturday morning as the June Cars & Coffee gathering welcomed nearly 150 enthusiast vehicles. More than just a display of metal and horsepower, the event served as a testament to the diverse passions that define the hobby from vintage hot rods and purpose-built drag cars to modern supercars, muscle cars, road race machines, meticulously restored classics, lifted 4x4s, Volkswagen buses, Corvettes, and Porsches.

Every generation, style, and passion found a home in Pomona, illustrating the remarkable variety that continues to drive the automotive community forward.

A Celebration of Diversity and Heritage

The event offered visitors a unique opportunity to see the full spectrum of car culture in one place. Alongside the participant vehicles, special displays from the Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum, American Racing Wheels, and Olvera's Car Care detailing services provided deeper insights into the industries and organizations dedicated to preserving and advancing automotive history. These partners gave attendees chances to connect with the brands that keep the culture alive, from restoration supplies to performance upgrades.

More Than Horsepower: A Spirit of Giving

True to the roots of the National Hot Rod Association, the June gathering demonstrated that the car community is about much more than speed. In a powerful display of community support, the event partnered with Cal Rods to donate 75 backpacks to students in the Pomona Unified School District.

Participants also filled collection bins with essential school supplies including notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, and other classroom materials to help local students at Lincoln Elementary prepare for the upcoming school year. Mr. Sam Padilla, the principal of Lincoln Elementary, was in attendance to accept the donations, highlighting the direct impact of the automotive community’s generosity on local education.

Honoring Wally Parks’ Vision

This spirit of community has always been at the heart of the NHRA. Long before Top Fuel dragsters were breaking the 345-mph barrier and national events were selling out stadiums, the NHRA began as a "car club of car clubs." Founder Wally Parks believed that bringing enthusiasts together, whether to hot rod, learn, share ideas, serve their communities, race, or simply admire one another's machines, would strengthen the entire hobby.

Seventy-five years later, that vision remains unchanged. While NHRA competitors pushed the limits of performance at the 2026 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, thousands of other racers and enthusiasts gathered locally. At the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, the focus was on celebrating the history, craftsmanship, innovation, friendships, and generosity that built the sport in the first place.

"Cars & Coffee is more than a car show," said a museum representative. "It is a living expression of the culture that made NHRA possible a place where longtime racers stand beside first-time enthusiasts, where stories are shared, ideas are exchanged, and the next generation is welcomed into the hobby. Because preserving our history isn't simply about displaying race cars. It's about continuing the traditions that created them."

Looking Ahead: 75 Years and Beyond

As the NHRA celebrates its 75th anniversary, gatherings like Cars & Coffee serve as a reminder that the Association has always moved forward together. Every conversation, volunteer effort, restored car, race entry, donation, and new enthusiast helps carry Wally Parks' vision into the future. As the motto goes: The speed of the race is the speed of the Association. Let's go faster—together.

Join the Next Gathering

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum invites enthusiasts of every make, model, and era to join the next Cars & Coffee event:

• Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

• Location: Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Pomona, CA

• Admission: Free for all attendees; complimentary museum admission included.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a vehicle, enjoy the community, make a donation, and help continue the tradition that has united hot rodders for three-quarters of a century.