Friday & Saturday – August 1–2, 2025 | Sparks, Nevada
If the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber under the Nevada night sky sound like your kind of welcome party, then you’re in for a weekend of pure adrenaline. Hot August Nights 2025 officially kicks off Friday, August 1, and all eyes (and engines) are headed to Downtown Sparks, where the AMSOIL Drag Races headline two nights of legal street-racing action.
FEATURED: Drag Races Presented by AMSOIL
Friday & Saturday | 6 PM – Midnight
West Parking Lot – Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks
$20 Admission (Free for registered HAN participants)
This isn’t just a car show. It’s a street-legal, full-throttle throwdown.
Running along a 1/16-mile drag strip, the Hot August Nights Drag Races bring out everything from Model Ts to Teslas, burning rubber and chasing bragging rights in a safe, competitive setting. Complete with professional-grade “Christmas tree” lights, finish-line displays, and printouts for each run, this is the real deal—minus the illegal street scene.
Don’t miss Saturday night’s $1,000 Burnout Contest, where tires melt, crowds cheer, and the most epic display of controlled chaos earns cold, hard cash.
💡 Tip: Head for the Burnout Bar presented by Big O Tires if you want VIP seating, pub snacks, and two drinks included. Tables and tickets are limited, so book early.
Show-n-Shine Season Starts Here
While the nights heat up with races, the days are all about shine. Classic cars and cruisers will be on full display at five different venues across Northern Nevada from Friday to Sunday:
- Virginia City – C Street Show-n-Shine
- Summit Racing Equipment – Reno Show Lot
- Victorian Square – Downtown Sparks
- J Resort – Reno’s Newest Auto Hub
- Bonanza Casino – Cruisin’ for the Cure (Sunday only)
📍 Car participants can join the Opening Weekend Passport Challenge:
Visit and get stamped at all Show-n-Shine locations and you’ll be entered to win an epic prize pack valued over $7,000—including 2026 registration, VIP access, lodging, and more.
Saturday Live Music: New Wave Crave at J Resort
Before the races begin, J Resort will pump up the afternoon crowd with a live performance from New Wave Crave, bringing synth-driven throwbacks and crowd favorites from 5:30–7:30 PM. It’s a perfect pre-race party before heading out to Sparks for the drag strip drama.
Planning Your Weekend
📍 Registration / Check-In:
All official Hot August Nights car participants must check in at the Cedar Event Space at J Resort. Hours vary daily—visit the HAN website and filter by “Registration” for up-to-date info.
🗺️ Visitor Tools:
- Venue Maps (including J Resort and Swap Meet layout)
- Shuttle Info (from casino hotels to the University venue)
- Where to Stay, Eat & Explore – Find it all on the HAN Visitor Info page.
One Weekend. All the Horsepower.
Whether you’re here to watch muscle cars battle on the blacktop, earn your passport stamps among the polished classics, or dance your way through Sparks and Reno with live music and food trucks, Opening Weekend at Hot August Nights is where the magic begins.
Bring your earplugs and your camera. The summer’s hottest weekend starts now.
