Proceeds from this year‘s show will benefit the
Great Falls Public School Foundation’s School Pantry Program.
Of the 10,000 students in Great Falls Public Schools, nearly 5 percent are homeless,
and more than 40 percent qualify for free and reduced lunch. These are very high numbers and show the incredible need for the food pantry program in our district.
Cruisin’ The Drag is very proud to have donated $15,000 to the pantry program in 2025 and it is our goal to increase the donation to $20,000 this year.
No child should ever go without.
Our Special Guest
Javier “Shorty” Ponce is a prominent figure in the automotive industry, renowned for his expertise in restoring classic cars. His journey into the world of cars began at the age of 12, when he discovered his passion for automotive craftsmanship. Over the course of 16 years working in various facets of the automotive field, Shorty honed his skills and knowledge before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey.
In 1997, leveraging his years of experience and passion, Shorty established his own automotive shop, originally known as Elite Autoworks and now famously branded as Shorty’s Custom Paint. Initially rooted in Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX), his shop has since relocated to Midlothian, TX, a short distance from Dallas, which Shorty affectionately calls “Paradise” – a testament to his dedication and love for his craft.
Shorty gained widespread recognition after his appearance on MotorTrend’s television series, Iron Resurrection, where he quickly became a fan favorite due to his exceptional talent and dedication. After three seasons, Shorty transitioned to become the host of MotorTrend’s television series, Shorty’s Dream Shop, where he shared his expertise from his own shop to audiences worldwide.
One of Shorty’s trademark talents lies in his innovative color combinations, which he expertly formulates in his custom paint booth, often humorously referred to as his “kitchen.” His unique ability to blend colors has set him apart in the industry, earning him a reputation for creating stunning and distinctive finishes.
Beyond his technical skills, Shorty is highly respected within the automotive community for his integrity, craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to quality. His passion for restoring classic cars not only drives his work but also inspires a new generation of automotive enthusiasts. Whether on screen or in his shop, Shorty continues to leave a lasting mark on the automotive world, embodying the spirit of innovation, creativity, and excellence.
Friday Night Poker Run
To start the weekend off right, our annual poker run around Great Falls will take place on Friday night, May 1st, 2026. This will be a shotgun start. Begin the run at any of the 5 poker stop locations and turn in your player card(s) at The Do Bar.
The event starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm. All hand(s) must be turned in by 9:30 pm, or they will not be counted. The turn in location is The Do Bar, or as we call it, Party Central. Payouts for the Highest, 2nd Highest, and Lowest hands will be made as quickly as possible. While waiting, enjoy beverages, food, and the company of some really great people. Go to the POKER RUN page for all the details.
Cruisin’ The Drag
We are very proud to say that Cruisin’ The Drag is Montana’s largest car show. We fill over twelve blocks of downtown Great Falls’ Central Avenue, the city’s original
“drag” for many decades. Last year we enjoyed all 800 cars that filled the downtown.
Cruisin’ The Drag attracts cars, trucks, and motorcycles from the western United States and Canada from as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada and Edmonton, Alberta.
The show has grown over the last few years, and because of a finite number of available parking spaces, we are now limiting the number of cars in the show. Registrations will be capped at 850, so please register early and reserve your spot. The registration tables will open at 7:30 am and close 11:00 am for judging to begin. The show runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, with the awards starting at 4:00 pm.
REGISTER today!
Cruise Night Party at the Newberry
The fun doesn’t end after the awards are handed out. Join us at The Newberry – 420 Central Ave – for the CRUISE NIGHT PARTY
Afterparty. There will be live music, a full no-host bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction, and, of course, our special guest, “Shorty,” will be there to sign autographs and offer photo ops.
There are only 600 tickets available for this event. The first 250 Deluxe Car Show Packages, purchased online, will get two tickets in their packet. Additional or separate tickets can be purchased from our store or
directly from the Newberry.
Don’t miss out on the fun. Register or get your Tickets now!
Cruisin’ The Drag is a HAN qualifying event!
The HAN Event Series is designed to promote the classic car culture year-round at car shows held anywhere in the country.
Annually, nearly 100 car shows occur across the West, including Nevada, California, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, and Montana. All qualifiers must fit the criteria for Hot August Nights car participants, with classics 1979 and older being selected. 2025 marks the third year of the HAN Event Series.
HOW IT WORKS
Individual shows select a qualifier, often the Best of Show, who then receives an invite to join the other qualifiers selected throughout the year on the final day of Hot August Nights. All winners then compete for the Grand Champion award along with five other category winners – Classic Stock, Classic Custom, Classic Rod, Classic Truck, and Members’ Choice – during the HAN Grand Finale Event.
HOW TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE AWARD
You must purchase a Hot August Nights Event Series decal for $5 and display it on your front windshield. It is available to purchase on our website store. The decal is good all year at participating shows. You only need to qualify once per year to receive an invitation to the HAN Grand Finale in Reno, Nevada.
For more information about Hot August Nights: HotAugustNights.Net
