Desert Run: The Redux Greg PajoAt Road & Track, our rallies are yearly highlights, and Desert Run 600 was no exception. It’s always refreshing to get a week out of the office and connect with our readers, all while doing what we love most. We just returned from Desert Run 600, a riff on our Arizona Desert Run rally from 2024, featuring a slew of brand new rally locations, track time at an iconic raceway, and even a new type of lodging. As car manufacturers are always innovating and re-inventing, our Experiences team also goes back to the drawing board for each rally.LEARN MOREFrom April 14-17, 2026, we made the Southwest our new home. Dozens of readers from all over the U.S. and Canada rolled into Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a sweet lineup of cars, including Porsches, Ferraris, McLarens, Aston Martins, and even a pair of fresh-off-the-line Corvette ZR1s, making our 675-mile adventure equal parts rally and rolling car show.Day One: Tackling the TrackGreg PajoDay one of Desert Run 600 kicked off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, home of multiple NASCAR Cup Series races. Guests checked in and enjoyed breakfast, then got a briefing from Dream Racing instructors, our track day hosts. After instruction, drivers were outfitted with helmets and got in their cars to tackle the 2.4-mile, 12-turn Outside Road Course for themselves. Participants tracked their cars and conquered the course’s multiple sharp turns and unbridled straightaways.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe took a short pit stop for lunch and guest introductions at the media center, then got our competitive juices flowing with a time attack challenge. Dream Racing set up a winding driving course for drivers to test their speed, agility, and responsiveness. Additionally, former Porsche Factory Racing driver Patrick Long joined us at the track and gave brave guests lightning-fast hot laps around the road course.After a thrilling day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, we lined up in our driving groups for the first time of the trip, led by Editor-in-Chief Dan Pund in a 2025 McLaren 750S Spider, Editor-at-Large Matt Farah in a 2026 Dodge Charger, Editor-at-Large A.J. Baime in a 2026 Audi RS6 Avant, and Road & Track staffer Scott Olman in a 2026 Acura Integra Type S. The caravan made its way to the ARIA Las Vegas, our accommodations for the night. Over dinner, former Porsche Factory Racing driver Patrick Long sat down with Matt Farah for an exclusive fireside chat about how he got his start racing, his illustrious career, and his current work with Luftgekühlt. Guests then rested up for another exciting day of drives to come.Greg PajoDay Two: Desert Drives & Starry NightsGreg PajoDay two kicked off with the first long-haul drive of the trip. We traded Las Vegas city limits for the remote desert roads of Lake Mead. The curvy canyon roads and views of the cool, blue reservoir were quite the departure from the sprawl of Vegas, despite being only 20 miles from the Strip.AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter cruising through the breathtaking national park, we stopped for lunch before heading back on our drive towards Utah. We crossed state lines and arrived at the night’s extra-special accommodations—Under Canvas Zion, a luxury glamping resort located just outside Zion National Park. This charming site not only boasts awe-inspiring views of bright red rock formations and luxuriously furnished tents, but also a herd of cows that patrolled the property, further reminding us that we were, in fact, in nature.Greg PajoAdvertisementAdvertisementGuests settled into their tents as staff delivered “camping packs”—provided by our official event partner, Corient—which included flashlights, blankets, camping mugs, socks, and a s’more kit to ensure everyone had a cozy and comfortable night. That evening, guests gathered for a dinner under the stars, followed by DIY fireside s’mores at our private fire pit, providing a moment for folks to get to know one another better and take in the clear, starry night sky and crisp desert air.Greg PajoDay Three: Zipping Through Zion & Sedona StaysDay three was our biggest day of driving yet. We departed Under Canvas and explored the main strip of Springdale, UT, just a few miles shy of the national park entrance. Afterward, we continued on our journey via a picturesque joyride through Zion National Park.Shortly after crossing the Arizona border, we made a pit stop for a Native American fry bread taco lunch at Marble Canyon’s Lonely Jackrabbit restaurant before continuing southbound toward Sedona. After parading through downtown Sedona, we pulled into L’Auberge de Sedona, nestled within the sweeping canyon walls of Sedona’s limestone formations.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe ended the evening with dinner on-site, followed by the Desert Run 600 Award ceremony, celebrating drivers with awards for Fastest Time (during our track day’s time attack challenge), Driver of the Day (a driver who exhibits an exceptional skill or attitude on the road), Corient Best Co-Pilot (the most spirited passenger), and Longest Drive (the participants who traveled farthest to the rally’s starting point, in this instance Anchorage, AK). Our award ceremonies are always a highlight of the trip because it gives our participants the chance to shine and show off their personalities.Day Four: Car Collections and Closing RemarksAfter fueling up for our final day of adventure with breakfast at the hotel, we queued up for the final time as we made our way to Scottsdale, AZ. Our final rally stop, OTTO Car Club, is a 32,000 square foot private storage facility hosting some truly special cars. Attendees got an exclusive, close-up view of the countless unique builds, rare cars, and prototypes stored on-site. After the tour, editors gave closing remarks, and we said our final goodbyes.Greg PajoDesert Run 600 was an unforgettable rally—packed with bucket list-worthy drives, breathtaking scenery, and fantastic company. If you would like to get in on the action, there are still plenty of opportunities to rally with us in 2026! We’re heading to Oregon and Washington on June 10-13 for Northwest Shift, to Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands on October 6-13 for Ring to Spa, and closing out the year with our New York and Connecticut rally, Hudson Quattrocento, taking place on October 27-30. Hope to see you on the road soon!LEARN MOREYou Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
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