Green Flag Drops on Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Race Weekend; Tim McGraw in Concert at Star Lake (Sat., 7/18/26)

July 16, 2026/Rick Handler

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Race Weekend—July 18 and July 19. Schenley Park

1) Drivers will start their engines and fans will lower their tailgates for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix race weekend in Schenley Park. The event is one of America’s largest vintage race events. Saturday will see race qualifying heats with over 150 vintage racers, and Sunday is the main race day. Both days’ action goes from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other highlights include car shows featuring international, Italian, and British cars, a vendors marketplace, vintage racer ride-along, and various food and beverage offerings, Jaguar is the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix’s Marque of the Year 2026. Pontiac and Oakland brands are the Spotlight Showcase. Qualifying race heats are on Saturday and the featured race is on Sunday. Look for Vintage Grand Prix events throughout Pittsburgh in the run up to the race. Charities benefiting from race proceeds are Autism Pittsburgh and the Merakey Allegheny Valley School. $10 charitable contribution admission charge. (R.H.)

Two older, vintage, open-wheel racers jockey for position. (Photo: Rick Handler)

2) Country superstar Tim McGraw seems to be at a very good place in life. He is a very popular act, having won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, and more. Thirteen (!) of his albums have occupied the number one spot on the Top Country Albums charts. Oh, and he’s married to the talented and lovely Faith Hill. But life hasn’t always been a bed of roses for McGraw. Growing up, he thought his stepfather was his real father until, while searching for Christmas presents at age 11, he found his birth certificate with his father listed as the famous baseball pitcher Tug McGraw. Tim’s mother took him to meet Tug, who initially denied the fact. Years later, though, Tim and Tug became very close until Tug’s death from a brain tumor in 2004. In response, Tim recorded the memorable song “Live Like You Were Dying.” Now is the time to catch him live, as Tim McGraw visits The Pavilion at Star Lake on his Pawn Shop Guitar Tour, with guest artists 49 Winchester. 7 p.m. 665 PA Rte. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H., M.V.)