Camp N Drag 2026 Brings Custom Trucks, Camping and Cruising to Waveland
Camp N Drag 2026 returned to Lake Waveland in Waveland, Indiana, July 17–19, bringing more than 1,000 vehicles and attendees together for three days of custom rides, camping, cruising and one of the most recognizable automotive gatherings in the Midwest. Presented by Balistik, Drop Em Wear, Thorbros and Buddies Garage, the 19th annual Camp N Drag delivered the laid-back atmosphere and strong sense of community that have defined the event for nearly two decades.
Rain and sunshine traded places throughout the weekend, but changing weather did little to slow down the action. Campers, builders, clubs and vendors settled in around Lake Waveland for a weekend that felt as much like a reunion as it did a custom car and truck show.
Camp N Drag 2026 Takes Over Lake Waveland
Unlike a traditional show where participants arrive in the morning and leave after the awards, Camp N Drag is built around the entire weekend. Camping is a major part of the experience, giving attendees time to reconnect with friends, meet builders and enjoy the custom automotive culture after the formal show activities wind down.
Vehicles cruised around the campground throughout the weekend, giving spectators a chance to see and hear the builds in motion. The Lake Waveland setting created a relaxed backdrop for rows of custom trucks and cars, vendor displays, campsites and groups of friends enjoying the weekend together.
Camp N Drag is also a selective event. Anyone wanting to attend must complete an application and receive approval before entering the campground. This process has helped organizers maintain the show’s distinct atmosphere while bringing together serious enthusiasts and quality vehicles from across the country. Additional information about future events and the application process is available through the official Camp N Drag website.
Custom Vehicles and Strong Club Participation
The Camp N Drag 2026 show field included an impressive mix of body-dropped mini trucks, air-suspension builds, custom full-size pickups, SUVs and other modified vehicles. Detailed paint, custom interiors, fabricated suspension components and creative body modifications could be found throughout the campground.
Clubs continue to play an important role in the growth of Camp N Drag. Severed Ties and No Regrets were among the clubs with a strong presence in 2026, bringing groups of vehicles and members to Waveland. Organizer Bill Baltikas specifically recognized the growing effort from automotive clubs, noting that their push to bring more vehicles was clearly represented on the show field.
That club participation and sense of community have been present throughout the event’s history. Readers can look back at Camp N Drag 2024 to see how the gathering continues to combine high-quality builds with a weekend-long camping experience.
Dustin Naylor’s 1956 Chevrolet Wins Best of Show
Awards were presented to recognize vehicles that stood out during the weekend. Although a complete list of the 2026 award recipients was not available, Dustin Naylor earned the top honor with his custom 1956 Chevrolet truck.
Winning Best of Show at Camp N Drag is a major accomplishment considering the number and quality of vehicles assembled at Lake Waveland. Naylor’s 1956 Chevy rose to the top of a field filled with custom vehicles representing countless hours of design, fabrication, bodywork, paint and finishing.
The variety seen at the event has helped Camp N Drag become a longtime favorite among Gauge Magazine readers. Previous coverage of Camp N Drag 2023 offers another look at the vehicles, vendors and atmosphere that have helped the event continue growing.
Free Beer Friday and a Weekend of Cruising
Friday’s activities included a free beer party hosted by Drop Em Wear at its vendor space. The gathering helped kick off the weekend and gave attendees another place to catch up with friends while checking out the vendor displays.
Vendors and sponsors played an important role throughout Camp N Drag 2026. Attendees could shop for automotive parts, apparel, accessories, food and event merchandise without leaving the campground. Their support also allows organizers to begin preparing for the show months before everyone arrives in Waveland.
Once the campsites were established, cruising remained one of the biggest attractions. Instead of the vehicles staying parked all weekend, attendees had repeated opportunities to see the builds rolling through the property. The steady movement of custom vehicles, combined with activity around the campsites and vendor areas, kept the campground active through rain, sunshine and the summer heat.
Camp N Drag Auction Benefits the Family of Tom Bauer
One of the most meaningful moments of Camp N Drag 2026 was the large raffle and auction held to support the family of Tom Bauer. The auction has become an important part of the event and reflects the community’s willingness to rally around someone who needs help.
Attendees bid on several custom-made benches, original automotive artwork and other donated items. The raffle and auction raised thousands of dollars for Bauer’s family. While the final amount was not announced, the response demonstrated what can happen when builders, clubs, vendors and automotive enthusiasts work together for a shared cause.
Baltikas thanked everyone who donated items, purchased raffle tickets and participated in the auction. He explained that helping someone each year has become part of what Camp N Drag represents and that the effort would not be possible without the people willing to donate and spend money for the cause.
Overcoming Challenges Behind the Scenes
Preparing for the 19th annual event came with unexpected challenges. Baltikas revealed that a basement flood caused him to lose information collected before the show. Combined with long work hours, the loss made preparing the attendee list and managing the front gate more difficult than in previous years.
Despite those challenges, the crew worked through the problems and kept the arrival process moving as smoothly as possible. Baltikas also acknowledged electrical problems experienced during the weekend and said organizers hope those issues can be addressed before the next event.
He thanked the town of Waveland for allowing the event to take over the campground, along with the attendees, sponsors, vendors, clubs and volunteers who made Camp N Drag 2026 possible. Special recognition went to Balistik members and their families, who traveled from across the country and worked throughout the year to create the atmosphere attendees have come to expect.
Baltikas also shared a personal thank-you to his family and his wife, Heather Baltikas, for supporting him through the planning process and helping turn the event into a reality.
The 20th Camp N Drag Is Coming in 2027
With the 19th annual Camp N Drag complete, work has already begun on the event’s major 20-year milestone. The next Camp N Drag is scheduled for July 16–18, 2027, at Lake Waveland.
Camp N Drag 2026 once again proved that the event is about more than the vehicles parked on the show field. It is about camping with friends, cruising custom builds, supporting the automotive community and helping a family through the annual auction. Rain, heat and logistical challenges could not take away from a weekend built around custom vehicles and the people who keep the culture moving forward.
Photos by: Double D
