The museum is named after Wally Parks, the founder of the National Hot Rod Association.
The facility occupies buildings that were originally constructed for the Los Angeles County Fair.
It houses the original 'Stude-illac', a famous hybrid vehicle that combined a Studebaker body with a Cadillac engine.
The collection includes the 'Glass Slipper', a legendary front-engine dragster from the 1950s.
The museum hosts annual 'Twilight Cruise Nights' that draw hundreds of local classic car enthusiasts.
It contains specific galleries dedicated to the history of land speed record attempts.
The building was designed to accommodate both static displays and working exhibition spaces.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum showcases the history of hot-rodding and drag racing in a 28,500-square-foot facility. It is located at the Fairplex in Pomona, the historic site of the inaugural Winternationals. The collection features a rotating display of vintage dragsters, custom hot rods, and significant race cars from the sport's inception to the modern era. Permanent exhibits highlight the evolution of safety gear, engine technology, and the influence of California car culture on global motorsports. The museum archives preserve a massive collection of photography, trophies, and memorabilia associated with the National Hot Rod Association. It serves as a living tribute to the innovators who pioneered organized drag racing.
The main floor exhibit hall, specifically framed to capture the central row of vintage, colorful rail dragsters.
Check the museum's calendar for 'Twilight Cruise Nights' if you want to see local vintage car clubs in person.
Look for the display panels near the dragsters, which often explain the specific mechanical breakthroughs of each era.
Visit the gift shop for unique NHRA apparel and historical die-cast car models not found in standard retail stores.
Do not attempt to visit during major Fairplex events without confirming parking access, as entry points to the museum area may be restricted or subject to event-specific parking fees.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; typically closed during major Fairplex events and certain national holidays.
No touching the vehicles; follow standard museum decorum regarding photography and noise levels.
