LAS VEGAS — Best in the Desert is proud to announce a historic evolution for one of off-road racing’s most iconic events: the 2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno will run “The Other Way” for the first time.
In celebration of the race’s 30th anniversary, the legendary point-to-point desert race will start in Reno and finish in Las Vegas, reversing the traditional direction that has defined the event since its inception.
The Off-Road Festival (Tech & Contingency) will be held in downtown Reno on Virginia Street, directly underneath the city’s world-famous Welcome to Reno arch.
Designed to mirror the energy and fan experience of The Mint 400’s Fremont Street format, the Reno Off-Road Festival will bring thousands of fans face-to-face with race vehicles, teams, vendors, and major brands. Reno’s vibrant downtown—famous for its mix of gaming history, arts culture, neon-lit streets, and walkable urban core—will serve as the perfect stage for racers and fans to kick off the 30th anniversary celebration.
“For the 30th anniversary, we wanted to do something truly unforgettable,” said Best in the Desert Co-Owner/CMO, Bryan Folks. “For 30 years, this race has pushed the limits of off-road competition, and running Vegas to Reno the other way is the perfect way to honor his spirit of innovation and open up an entirely new strategic challenge. New terrain flow, new pace, new notes – the whole thing feels fresh. Reno is going to come alive with race energy, and crossing that finish line in Las Vegas is going to be something teams never forget. Between the Reno Off-Road Festival, expanded qualifying, and the new Legends Rally fun run, this will be a year racers talk about for decades.”
Originally founded by Casey Folks in 1996, Vegas to Reno has grown into one of the largest and most prestigious off-road races in North America. Over three decades, it has become a proving ground for the world’s best desert racers, a battleground where champions are made, and a cornerstone of American off-road culture. Running the 2026 race “the other way” is a tribute to Casey’s vision and relentless drive to innovate.
For 2026, Best in the Desert will debut the Vegas to Reno Legends Rally, a special fun-run and community ride designed for racers, OEMs, and off-road truck enthusiasts. This unique experience allows participants to preview the reversed race course, build course notes, fine-tune race files and share a once-in-a-lifetime ride through Nevada’s most iconic desert landscapes.
