Goodguys brings Heartland Nationals to Des Moines for July 3-5 show

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is taking over the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines July 3-5 for the 35th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by FiTech Fuel Injection. The event combines classic cars, motorsports, family activities and fireworks, drawing hot rod fans from across the region.

Why it matters: - The Heartland Nationals is one of the Midwest’s biggest hot rodding events of the year. - The three-day show mixes car culture, racing and family programming at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. - The event also serves as a showcase for awards, vendors and specialty automotive businesses.

What happened: - Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is hosting the 35th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by FiTech Fuel Injection from July 3-5. - The event takes place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. - Show hours run Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Tickets are available at the gate or online at event information and tickets. - The event page and registration details are also available at the same link.

The details: - Vehicles manufactured in 1999 and older are eligible to participate all three days. - Late-model American-made and American-powered show cars of all years can join Meguiar’s All American Sunday. - Saturday Special Parking Areas give registered participants a chance to compete for top awards. - Goodguys will name finalists for its Top 12 of the Year awards for Muscle Cars, Trucks and Custom cars. - Tyler Nelson of Revision Rods & Rides will select his top 10 Builders Choice picks. - The Goodguys crew will hand out more than 75 specialty awards during the weekend. - Each day includes a Family Fun Zone with games and crafts for children. - The Auto World Model Make-and-Take lets kids build a free model car. - Central Iowa RC Addicts will stage RC car demonstrations. - The event also includes a model car display and a pedal car display. - Saturday night features a Fireworks Extravaganza. - Kids can enter a watermelon-eating contest. - Families can enter a pie baking contest. - Attendees can shop more than 100 vendor and manufacturer exhibits. - The event includes a large swap meet and a Cars 4 Sale Corral. - Visitors can check out the Goodgals Arts & Crafts Gallery. - Live music, a pin-up girl contest and food vendors are part of the weekend lineup. - The Goodguys AutoCross Racing Series runs all three days. - Saturday afternoon includes the Optima Batteries “Duel in Des Moines” AutoCross Shootout. - Sunday features the All-American Shootout. - Vintage exhibition dragsters will run during Summit Racing Nitro Thunderfest. - Saturday also includes a burnout competition. - Hot rods can cruise the fairgrounds all day. - The Twilight Cruise on historic Grand Avenue is set for Saturday evening. - Sunday’s Meguiar’s All-American Sunday welcomes late-model American-made and powered specialty vehicles. - The event ends with an Awards Ceremony at 2:22 p.m. on Sunday.

Between the lines: - Goodguys is leaning into a broad festival format, not just a car show. - The mix of racing, fireworks, kids’ activities and vendor booths is built to keep families on-site throughout the weekend. - The Sunday focus on late-model American-made vehicles expands the audience beyond traditional pre-2000 hot rods.

What's next: - Attendees can register vehicles, buy tickets and plan their visit ahead of the July 3-5 weekend. - The show will culminate in awards and a final parade of winners on Sunday afternoon. - Goodguys is expected to continue using the Heartland Nationals as a major regional anchor for its event calendar.

The bottom line: - Des Moines is getting a three-day summer showcase built around hot rods, racing, family entertainment and Fourth of July fireworks.