Over 50 years ago, the first plane went up in the Nevada desert to kick off what would become the STIHL National Championship Air Races and a legacy was born. In the time since, it has imbued a true legacy of aviation history, heritage and preservation, an incredible annual display of daring, imagination and wonder, leaving breathless fans a wealth of memories made, traditions formed and legends created one amazing race at a time. Engines roaring. Crowds cheering. Hearts pounding. Eight planes racing wingtip to wingtip, 50 feet above the ground at speeds up to more than 500 mph. This is the fastest motorsport on Earth – a oneofakind thrill you have to see, hear and feel to believe. This is classic, cool and contemporary all rolled into one. This is life at 500 miles per hour. This is the National Championship Air Races. The 2023 National Championship Air Races were held September 1317, 2023.