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EVENT GUIDE

SEVEN DAYS IN THE SMOKIES

Here's what's happening each day of PITS: Where to go, What to expect, and How to register(if required). Plan your week and we'll see you in the Smokies.

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SIGNATURE EVENT

The Shine Run

A multi-day self-paced route hitting 8-10 sponsor stops with a mix of in town and extended mountain destinations. Registration and check-ins run entirely through the Shine Run App using QR codes and GPS, so there's no paper card to keep track of. The Shine Run runs five days, Sunday through Thursday, wrapping up with the Shine Run Party at Junction 35 Spirits in the Mountain Mile.  You're playing for $10K+ in prizes on the Shine Run Table for the highest hands during Saturday afternoon's awards ceremony.  You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em on the Shine Run at PITS!   

Winding mountain road through green hills under a blue sky with clouds
Shine Run table display with event items, flyers, and American flag-themed handouts on a black tablecloth

Stops TBD

Stop 1 — Business Name

Placeholder — address and check-in hours.

Stop 2 — Business Name

Placeholder — address and check-in hours.

Stop 3 — Business Name

Placeholder — address and check-in hours.

Stop 4 — Business Name

Placeholder — address and check-in hours.

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GET ON TRACK

THE PITS DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The track side of PITS, held at Newport Speedway and Knoxville Dragway. Pick your lane: Instruction / Competition / Ride along / Spectate.

NEWPORT SPEEDWAY - MONDAY

DRIVING SCHOOL

A 4-hour mix of on course and classroom instruction with an experienced staff of instructors.

NEWPORT SPEEDWAY - TUESDAY

AUTOCROSS

Learn the line, then run it. Instructor-led timed cone course and ride-alongs all day long.

NEWPORT SPEEDWAY - WEDNESDAY

FUN RUNS

No clock, no pressure, just fun laps on the banked oval at whatever pace feels right.

NEWPORT SPEEDWAY - WEDNESDAY

DRIFTING

"Slideways" and smoke is the goal. Watch the demos or hop in for a ride along with one of the pros.

NEWPORT SPEEDWAY - WEDNESDAY

BURNOUT COMPETITION

The fan favorite, hands down. Lay down some rubber and let the crowed decide who's king.

NEWPORT SPEEDWAY &

KNOXVILLE DRAGWAY - WED / THU

DYNO

Strap to the rollers and find out what HP your Mustang's really putting down.

KNOXVILLE DRAGWAY - THURSDAY

DRAG RACING

Test 'n tune all day then settle it on the tree in one of the classes.  Fastest Ford and Fastest Non-Ford purses and a PITS "No Prep" Invitational.

 MULTI-EVENT TITLE - ALL WEEK

KING OF THE SMOKIES

Six disciplines...One title! Shine Run, Dyno, Autocross, Shotgun Alley, Drag Racing, and Car show. Sweep them all to claim the crown.

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AFTER HOURS

CRUISE INS

The social side of PITS. Park it, grab some food and your favorite beverage, and talk cars with people who get it.

MONDAY EVENING CHILL @

LIGHT THE STILL

Kick off PITS the right way - good cars, good company, and the perfect warm-up before the week really gets going.

THURSDAY MORNING MEETUP @

COFFEE & CAMSHAFTS

Start the day right. Grab a cup of joe, walk the lot, and talk cars with fellow owners before the day's events kick off.

THURSDAY NIGHT BOOGIE @

SHINE RUN PARTY

The Shine Run wraps up right here!  Grab your ClearShine goody bag, see how your hand stacks up, and stick around food an fun at Junction 35 and The Mountain Mile.


Influencers Meet: A meet & greet with the creators and YouTubers covering PITS this year, come say hello during the Shine Run Party

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THE MAIN EVENT

THE PONIES IN THE SMOKIES CAR SHOW

An action packed two days of indoor and outdoor activities at the Sevierville Convention Center — show-and-shine  of 1,100+ registered vehicles, 4 special indoor displays, 90+ vendors, reveals, clubs, and 182 awards handed out at Saturday's awards ceremony.

FRIDAY

DAY 1

Cars roll onto the show field and while judging gets underway, browse the vendors, special displays and grab a bite then shift gears into the  evening's social events.

SATURDAY

DAY 2

Everyone returns for a second day, but with the pressure of judging over it's time to kick back and soak up the final day of PITS. Browse the vendors, take in every class of display, then stick around for the awards ceremony to see who takes home the hardware.

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LOGISTICS

TRAILER PARKING

Fenced and locked trailer lot at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, about a mile from the convention center - manned during the day with armed guard security nightly from 7pm to 7am. Reserve your spot in advance.

Three sports cars loaded on a multi-level car carrier truck under a blue sky
Black “VOLUNTEER” text on a red and gray banner.
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JOIN THE CREW

VOLUNTEERS

PITS runs on the people who show up early, stay late, and make sure everything runs smoothly. Join the crew and be part of the team that makes this event happen, apply below to get started.

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ON THE FLOOR

VENDORS

Parts, apparel, wheels, tuning, and more. The vendor floor brings together the best names in the Mustang world. Want to join them? Here's how to get involved.

Two modified cars under a canopy at an outdoor auto show, one black with neon green rims.
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PLAN YOUR EVENT

SCHEDULE

EVENT FLYER

Blue sports car event flyer for “Ponies in the Smokies,” March 23–28, 2026, with schedule details.

Grab the official one-page flyer with everything you need at a glance


2026 Events: Download theflyer (PDF) →


2027 Events: COMING SOON

CALENDAR VIEW

2026 calendar poster with pink and navy design, showing all months in a compact grid

See every PITS event on one calendar. Filter by venue to build your day-by-day plan.


2026 view:

2027 view: COMING SOON

VENUE DIAGRAMS

Aerial map of a race track with colored sections and a marked route on the right side.

Parking, showfield layout, track maps, and more.  Get the lay of the land before you arrive.


View venue diagrams →

2026

9:00a – 4:00p

BFGoodrich Driving School at Newport Speedway

newport speedway

Operating Hours

Shine Run Day 2 - Stops Open

Sponsor stops

3:00p – 9:00p

"Light the Still" Cruise In at Quaker Steak & Lube- Sevierville, TN

Quaker Steak & lube

2027 COMING SOON

0:00 – 0:00

Coming Soon

TBD

0:00 – 0:00

Coming Soon

TBD

0:00 – 0:00

Coming soon

TBD