Record-Breaking Stock Car Speed | VA 250 Car Project

America’s Fastest Stock Car

On March 23, 2026, the VA250 Car Project made history when the Virginia-built stock car reached 253 MPH at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility, setting a
new Stock Car Land Speed Record.

Official Technical Specifications View The Record
Follow The Tour

In Partnership with:

A Virginia-Built Machine. A National Moment in History.

WHAT IS THE VA 250 CAR PROJECT

VA 250 Car Project is a national motorsports and engineering initiative created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Built in Virginia and backed by historic commissions, our project brings together American engineering, racing heritage, and storytelling to attempt a land-speed record on one of the most historic runways in the world. View our car’s technical specs HERE.

🎬 WATCH HISTORY BE MADE
253 MPH. One Record. One Historic Run.
On March 23, 2026, the VA250 Car Project set a new Stock Car Land Speed Record at 253 MPH.

BEYOND THE RECORD

Discover the story behind the 253 MPH record and the people driving the VA250 Car Project forward.

LEARN MORE

PARTNER WITH OUR PROJECT

Please help us commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution/Revolutionary War/Independence in the USA!

PARTNER NOW

Why This Moment Matters

The 250th anniversary of the United States—America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026—matters because it is one of those rare moments when an entire nation can pause and look both backward and forward at the same time. It is not just a birthday; it is a milestone of reflection, responsibility, and renewal.

America 250
Celebrating innovation, independence, and American ingenuity.
Engineering Excellence
A purpose-built machine designed for speed, stability, and record-breaking performance.
Historic Ground
The run will take place at the same site where Apollo 11 launched mankind toward the Moon.

Record Broken: 253 MPH

The VA250 Car Project was created to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through engineering, innovation, motorsports, and storytelling. On March 23, 2026, that mission became history when the car reached 253 MPH and broke the previous stock car land speed record of 244.9 MPH.

Built by Joey Arrington in Martinsville, Virginia, and driven by Tommy Hurley of Ridgeway, Virginia, the VA250 car now stands as a symbol of American craftsmanship, Virginia racing heritage, and what is possible when experience, engineering, and purpose come together.us nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Our Journey

Now The Car Hits The Road

Following the record-setting run, the VA250 Car Project is launching the 253 MPH: Speed Meets Heat Tour. The car will travel from Virginia through Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and back to Virginia.

The tour will bring the record-breaking car, Joey Arrington, STEM and engineering displays, racing simulators, photo opportunities, and Danny’s Wall of Hope to fairs, festivals, military installations, racetracks, retail locations, and community events across the country

View Tour Details

The Arrington Legacy

The VA250 Car Project carries forward one of Virginia’s great motorsports legacies.

Joey Arrington, son of NASCAR pioneer Buddy Arrington, is the builder and engine expert behind the VA250 car. Known throughout motorsports for his experience, craftsmanship, and performance knowledge, Joey designed and developed the car that reached 253 MPH on March 23, 2026.

The record connects past and present. Joey’s father, Buddy Arrington, built a respected career as an independent NASCAR driver and team owner. Joey continued that legacy through engine building, fabrication, and high-performance motorsports work.

The VA250 car brings that legacy into America’s 250th anniversary — honoring the Arrington family, Virginia racing history, and the next generation of builders, engineers, and racers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARRINGTONS

Joey Arrington: Meet The Builder Behind The Record

Joey Arrington is one of the most respected engine builders in motorsports. As the builder of the VA250 car, he helped turn a dream into a 253 MPH record-setting reality.

Visitors on the 253 MPH: Speed Meets Heat Tour will have the opportunity to meet Joey, hear the story behind the build, ask questions, take photos, and learn how Virginia craftsmanship helped make history.

Partners and Commissions

As part of the VA-250 project, we have chosen to allocate funding specifically for a UVA Motorsports/STEM collaboration to invest directly into student access, education, and real engineering experience. WE ARE SO EXCITED to include the UVA Motorsports team in our project!

Additionally, the VA250 Car Project is supported by the following statewide and national partners who share a commitment to innovation, history, and American excellence.