The iconic baseball movie Field of Dreams hosts an equally iconic phrase; “if you build it, they will come.”  For Carlisle Events in 2021, it’s more like “if you host it, they will come.”  The Carlisle PA Fairgrounds might not be the Kinsella farm in Dyersville, Iowa, but the Miller’s field of dreams has been that and so much more for car lovers in 2021.  That passion was once again on display June 25-26 as part of a near record setting Carlisle GM Nationals; one that would turn out to be a top-5 all-time result for a car show that dates back to 2001.

Two amazing days of weather fueled over 20,000 guests and 1,026 show cars, the best car count at the GM Nationals since 2014.  Mix that in with passionate owners coming together to show off their rides, sell their products or go fast on the track and by the time the final awards were handed out on Saturday night, those leaving were wishing they could stay for more.

Special displays and activities went a long way to giving showgoers the kind of fix they needed.  This included open autocross runs and ride, the Solid Lifter Showroom in Building Y, GM Engine Swaps, the H-Platform and Vega feature, plus Comic-Car Con in Building T, the Novas under the pavilion, Corvettes for Chip (charity car show within the show) and even more amazing pieces of GM history on the National Parts Depot Showfield.  In fact, one of the biggest surprises of the weekend was the turnout of Fieros at the show.  There were so many in one place that Aaron Kaufman (Gas Monkey Garage, Aaron Needs a Job, Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman) remarked that he’d never seen so many together in one place…and he’s been to a lot of car shows.

Speaking of Kaufman, he made it to Carlisle by way of Denver where he was helping wrench a Pikes Peak Hill Climb car.  His Carlisle GM Nationals layover included two autograph sessions, a few concessions stand stops, a private tour of Lance Miller’s car collection and over 500 autographs signed.  Guests lined up non-stop for each of the two sessions to meet him, talk shop, snap a photo or get an autograph.  Kaufman even found time to peruse the Showfield, where he picked a 1959 Chevy Biscayne as his “celebrity choice” award winner.

In addition to Kaufman’s pick, many more event guests went home with awards, either via celebrity choice, Carlisle Elite, judging and more.  There were other awards too, as the UMI Performance autocross track hosted a real street shootout, plus the east side of the grounds welcomed more than a dozen drivers as part of the rolling exhaust contest. 

As the sun sets on the 2021 event, plans are already underway for 2022.  The event dates are June 24-25 and registration for the National Parts Depot Showfield is now open, including a 10% savings.  Learn more about the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals and all other events on the Carlisle Events schedule online at CarlisleEvents.com.