The race is the main attraction of the annual Water Follies festivities.

The Columbia River towns of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland first climbed on the Unlimited bandwagon in 1966 with the first annual Tri-Cities Atomic Cup.

Bill Brow was the winner that first year, driving Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser.

Driver Dave Villwock and the Miss Elam Plus team won the 2006 Columbia Cup under extraordinary circumstances.

The race is run on a 2.5 mile oval course located in an area on the Columbia River referred to as the "McNary Pool.