If there’s a place where horsepower meets heart, it’s the annual Truckin’ For Kids Charity Show & Drags – and the 45th edition didn’t lift. It stood on the diesel pedal and never looked back.
Held May 2-3 at Famoso Dragstrip and presented by 10-4 Magazine, the Bakersfield staple once again proved that big rigs, big smoke, and big speed can drive an even bigger purpose. With all net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children’s Hospital in Pasadena, the weekend blended show-and-shine polish with full-throttle action down the quarter-mile.
Sunday’s dragstrip program brought the noise.
Diesel trucks stormed the historic Famoso surface, laying down thick clouds of smoke with burnout displays that had the crowd leaning on the fence. These weren’t just parade laps – these were full-send passes from machines built to work hard and play even harder, putting torque and attitude on full display.
Then came the fire.
Two jet cars lit off and turned the volume to max, ripping down the strip in a pair of flame-throwing exhibition passes that shook the ground and snapped every head in the house. It was pure sensory overload – heat, sound, and speed – exactly the kind of show that’s become a signature of Truckin’ For Kids.
While the on-track action delivered, the mission remained front and center. Event organizers estimate this year’s event will generate between $65,000 and $70,000 for Shriners Children’s Hospital in Pasadena.
From chrome-heavy show trucks to smoke-filled dragstrip action, Truckin’ For Kids once again proved it’s more than just an event – it’s a movement. One where diesel power meets generosity, and every pass down Famoso’s quarter-mile helps push something far more important across the finish line.
This story was originally published on May 7, 2026. 
