New Car Week event to bring crowds to Elkhorn Slough.

For years, Car Week has been about only one type of vehicle: those made for the paved road. A new event added to the 2026 schedule adds equity to that lineup, fittingly located in the “cradle of biodiversity,” Elkhorn Slough.

On April 1, a Louisiana-based production company announced an off-roading spectacular located in the heart of Elkhorn Slough, where diesel-burning pickup trucks with larger-than-life wheels go mud-bogging through the salt marshes.

The winding rivers that run through the wetlands make for a perfect obstacle course, says organizer Jim Bros. Logs from eucalyptus trees removed in the area will add another layer of challenge for the drivers, most of which are coming from the southern U.S. where mud bogging is a popular sport.

“There’s nothing like this in Monterey County,” Bros says. “I found the perfect place to host this type of event. Everyone I talked to says there’s no problem at all.”

Beyond the obvious economic boon of truckers stopping at The Power Plant for coffee, Bros says the event will have a positive effect on the environment.

“People are worried about contamination in the slough from the Vistra battery fire nearby,” he says. “Research has shown—according to a post I saw on TikTok—that rubber tires in mud actually absorb heavy metals. Once the event is over, these tires will head to the landfill.”

Volunteers will be needed to clear otters, egrets and other wildlife from the slough before the event as a matter of safety.

"Animal impacts can damage critical suspension parts," Bros says. "And we think protecting wildlife is important, too."