Tournament of Destruction May 23, 2026: Military Night

Memorial Day Weekend — Team Demolition Derby Smashes American-made Metal

Get ready for a memorable night of high-octane excitement and big impact thrills, coupled with patriotic celebration and honor, at the Route 66 Dirt Oval on May 23 for our first demolition derby mega event of the year!

This year is extra special: held over Memorial Day Weekend, our Military Night Tournament of Destruction pays tribute and honors the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who have served and continue to serve our country today.

Team Demo returns to Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 2019 and it is more meaningful than ever as we celebrate 250 years of America and Route 66’s 100-year anniversary! It’s going to be an unforgettable night of patriotism, pride, and appreciation for the strength, sacrifice, and sheer bravery of our military.

What better way to honor our military, commemorate this historic milestone, and celebrate the United States than to come together for loud cars, cold beverages, and non-stop action at the Route 66 Dirt Oval?!

STAR SPANGLED PATRIOTISM, POWER and a PRE-RACE PARTY!

Every good party starts with a pre-game party! Before the main event, check out the larger-than-life historic military vehicles up close from the 501(c)3 non-profit Veterans Garage and learn more about what they do. They love sharing stories and information about their historic military vehicles — definitely something you won’t see every day! Take pictures and leave with a memory!

We’ve also invited our military friends: K9 for Veterans, Farm to Vets and Warriors Walk to come to our Military Night, pop up a tent, and spread the word about all they continue to do for our country.

You only turn 250 once, so we’re celebrating our nation’s birthday — and birthday twin the historic Route 66 100th year — in style. The Dirt Oval Route 66 Raceway is located on Historic Route 66, and we’re so excited to celebrate a century of the Mother Road! Following our main events, you know we’re lighting up the birthday candles the right way.

It’s a 250th and 100th birthday bash, capped off with a massive birthday fireworks display lighting up the sky after the final crash!

Rock & Roll in Addition to the Roar!

Whether you’re tailgating in the parking lot or checking out all we have to offer, we’re getting the party started before the engines even start with a LIVE pre-race party concert!

Enjoy a performance from the legendary band CHICAGO 6. This classic rock and soul band is led by former Chicago Bears defensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Hampton.

The Chicago 6 are sure to have you rocking to great music, listening to fun stories, and experiencing pure entertainment ahead of the on-track action — and Bears fans, bring your merch to sign because there will be a special autograph session after the music, too!

We want you to leave with the roar of the engines still echoing in your ears, the smell of fuel in your nose, and a smile on your face.

RED, WHITE AND WRECKED: Tournament of Destruction

We designed Military Night to give everyone access to intense, high-speed, metal-crunching, action-packed fun as four teams battle it out in the team demolition derby.

From the grandstands, you’ll get to watch your favorite teams: MEAN GREEN MACHINE, ORANGE CRUSH, JUNKYARD DOGS and RECKONING fight for the win to see whose drivers can outlast them all, crashing and cruising their way to the finish with each round of destruction.

But that’s not all! The Spectator Cars division will get down and dirty, circle-track racing in the dirt — laying it all on the line for a chance to win $1,500! We anticipate three heats for this event, with drivers shifting their way to the finish first. We’ve seen wagons to welded-up Caprices—we can’t wait to see who enters and how patriotic their cars can get!

Thinking you want in on the action? There’s no additional cost to enter the race — cars and drivers must abide by rules and purchase a $38 pit pass. Learn more about participating and access the recommended online pre-registration on our Driver Info page.

Special attraction: The Gauntlet Race! Made famous at the famed and now shuttered Rockford Speedway, the Gauntlet Race is a fan favorite as the survivor-type, total destruction race brings out all-out chaos! Smaller vehicles attempt to stop the big guy on the track from completing the race — spin it, smash it, stop it from advancing. It’s about strategic maneuvers, teamwork, and smashpower as every vehicle fights to survive while defeating oversized aggressor in The GAUNTLET!

Things to Know Before You Hit The Track

New to the Dirt Oval? No problem! We’re excited for you to experience thrills like nowhere else!

Every event we run is made with family fun in mind — we want everyone to have a great time! Stadium open-air seating gives you the best of both worlds: the roar of the engines and starlit skies after sundown, ensuring everyone has a view of the main event. Reserved seating is available in sections 101 and 401.

Plan your travel to Dirt Oval 66 in advance due to road and ramp closures throughout the Joliet area. Read our Traffic Alert page for more details.

ABSOLUTELY YES, YOU CAN TAILGATE!
We don’t say no to fun at the Dirt Oval! Our parking lot opens at 4 p.m., giving you the opportunity to meet new friends as you pop down the tailgate, open your cooler, and start the Saturday off right. Bring your grill and cook up some glizzies as you ramp up excitement for the main event. We encourage everyone to party responsibly!

Don’t want to or can’t tailgate? No problem. Our numerous concession stands under the bleachers feature plenty of good eats, cold drinks, and merch to make your experience memorable. Cash & cashless payments accepted. With both indoor bathrooms and extra portable bathrooms for our high-capacity events, we make sure everyone’s got a place when they have to go.

Ear protection is available for purchase for the kiddos because we know the loud open exhaust can be a little too much for the little ones’ sensitive ears.

Don’t Wait for Tickets

With high demand for these limited demolition derby events, we encourage you to get your tickets and secure your spot! While we have a small number of tickets available on event day, we don’t want any of our fans on the sidelines, missing out on all of the action — that’s why we give you special advance pricing to make sure you can get your spot and save big.

Avoid the long lines and get in to experience the carnage, the mayhem, the all-out horsepower that is the one and only TOURNAMENT OF DESTRUCTION!

Can’t make this Memorial Day Weekend? Don’t worry, it’s our first of TWO demos this year!

That’s right — last year’s celebration of the 100th Team Demolition Derby event told us one just isn’t enough for 2026, that’s why we’re giving you TWO great opportunities to experience the iconic motorsport: Military Night, May 23, and September 26 with the Racin’ for Boobs breast cancer awareness & Women’s Team Demo race.

Tournament of Destruction Details
Military Night – Celebrating 250 Years of America and 100 Years of Route 66 – May 23, 2026
Gates open 4:00pm
Showtime 7:00pm
Adult general admission $38 | Juniors (age 3 – 12) $28
All ages Reserved seats $41
Pit Pass $38
Ages 2 & under are free in General Admission section (no ticket required)
ALL FEES INCLUDED!

Parking fee for all vehicles is $5 upon arrival.