Burbank Car Club Keeps Drag Racing Spirit Alive

The Road Kings, a group of senior car enthusiasts, gather regularly to reminisce about their racing days and share their love of classic cars.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, blurred image of a classic 1932 Ford convertible in motion, with streaks of vibrant color representing the energy and excitement of vintage automotive culture.The Road Kings car club keeps the spirit of classic drag racing alive through their regular gatherings and annual car show, where the passion for vintage automobiles is palpable.Atwater Today

The Road Kings of Burbank, a 'rodders and racers' club founded in 1952, continues to meet a couple times a week at Larry's Chili Dogs to have lunch and swap stories about their shared passion for classic cars and the glory days of drag racing. Despite dwindling membership over the years, the remaining members, many of whom were professional racers in their youth, maintain a strong camaraderie and keep the spirit of their hobby alive through their annual car show and charitable work in the community.

Why it matters

The Road Kings represent a fading era of car culture and motorsports, as the popularity of drag racing has waned since its heyday in the 1950s and 60s. However, their continued gatherings and annual car show help preserve the history and traditions of this niche automotive community, while also giving back to the local Burbank area.

The details

The Road Kings, founded in 1952, grew around the race strips and tracks of the 1950s, with about three dozen individuals who were racing at various levels and driving a wide variety of vehicles. Today, the group has dwindled to around eight regular members, but they still meet twice a week at Larry's Chili Dogs to reminisce about their racing days and share their love of classic cars. Members include former professional stock car racers like Kenny Sapper, as well as longtime car enthusiasts like Tony Wade, who has been part of the club for 50 years.

  • The Road Kings of Burbank was founded in 1952.
  • The group meets a couple times a week at Larry's Chili Dogs on Burbank Boulevard.
  • The Road Kings' 35th annual car show will be held on June 14, 2026 at Johnny Carson Park.

The players

The Road Kings of Burbank

A 'rodders and racers' club founded in 1952 that continues to gather regularly to share their passion for classic cars and the history of drag racing.

Tony Wade

A 50-year member of the Road Kings who has been an auto enthusiast since high school, when he met his wife of 55 years.

Kenny Sapper

A member of the Road Kings who is part of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame and has an extensive background in professional stock car racing and automotive design.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're just a bunch of guys who get together and used to drag race.”

— Tony Wade

“Getting together with friends is the best, but we can go to Cars & Coffee (L.A.) or a car show, and we can start talking to somebody that we don't know from a fence post and we can have a great conversation because we love to talk about cars. There's just a camaraderie.”

— Kenny Sapper

“Every one of these guys has a story. You've just got to talk to them. It's just like at a car show. Every car has a story.”

— Kenny Sapper

What’s next

The Road Kings will host their 35th annual car show on June 14, 2026 at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank. The event raises money to support local charities.

The takeaway

The Road Kings of Burbank represent a fading era of car culture and motorsports, but their continued gatherings and annual car show help preserve the history and traditions of this niche automotive community while also giving back to the local area. Their passion for classic cars and shared memories of drag racing days gone by demonstrate the enduring appeal of this hobby and the strong camaraderie it can foster.