LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Classic car enthusiasts and curious locals lined downtown Lewisburg Friday as the Great Race rolled into town for a midday showcase of vintage automobiles and precision driving. Downtown Lewisburg turned into an open-air car museum as the 2025 Hemmings Motor News Great Race made its only West Virginia stop in the historic Greenbrier Valley town.
The multiday rally, which began June 21 in St. Paul, Minnesota and concludes June 29 in Lake Murray, South Carolina features approximately 120 antique vehicles traversing more than 2,300 miles across the eastern United States.
The official opening ceremony took place at 12:10 p.m. at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, and the first historic car arrived at 12:25 p.m. Subsequent vehicles streamed in roughly one minute apart, with the last expected at 2:25 p.m. Each vehicle was planned to remain on display for one hour. Among the featured automobiles are rare early 20th century models and classic muscle cars.
The Great Race is not a highspeed contest, but a precision rally. Drivers and navigators must hit secret checkpoints on schedule and early or late arrivals add time penalties.
Residents and visitors were encouraged to stroll Washington Street, talk with car teams and appreciate the historic vehicles and rally culture up close and personal. The teams will continue toward Lake Murray, S.C. aiming to finish the nineday course on June 29.
Lewisburg Police assisted with street closures and traffic control to ensure public safety during the midday event.
