In a historic blend of horsepower and patriotism, NASCAR is taking its next-generation racing machines onto an active military baseâNaval Base Coronado in San Diegoâfor the inaugural âNASCAR San Diego Weekend.â Set for June 19â21, 2026, this event marks the first NASCAR street course on an active naval installation and aligns with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy .
đ Triple-Header Weekend
Friday, June 19 â Craftsman Truck Series Saturday, June 20 â Xfinity Series Sunday, June 21 â NASCAR Cup Series, headlined by a prime-time finish on Fatherâs Day .
đ A Unique Venue: Seamless Fusion of Speedway and Military
The roughly 3-mile course will weave through base streets and onto runways and tarmacs, with iconic aircraft carriers and Fâ18 Super Hornets providing the backdrop . Expect a dynamic mix of technical turns and lengthy straightaways designed through advanced track modeling and iRacing simulations .
đ Symbolism & Strategy
Commemorative synergy: The race celebrates Navy pride and American history during the Navyâs 250th anniversary . National reach: It fills the Southern California slot vacated by the Chicago street race, reestablishing NASCARâs presence in the market . Military partnerships: An ideal match with Naval Base Coronado, nicknamed the âWest Coast Quarterdeck,â symbolizing resilience and innovation .
đŹ Voices from the Helm
Ben Kennedy (NASCAR EVP, Venue & Racing Innovation) noted the shared values of âspeed, precision and gritâ between NASCAR and the Navy, adding that the base âhas been a tremendous partnerâ .
Secretary of the Navy JohnâŻC. Phelan praised the event as a âpowerful tributeâ to Navy valuesâcalling it more than a race, but âa missionâ aligned with the serviceâs core ethos .
Jimmie Johnson, San Diego-native and NASCAR Hall of Famer, shared local excitement:
âFrom a San Diegan to hear those words, I was just smiling⌠this is really going to happen.â
đ Southern California Spectacle
Expect dramatic fan experiences: roaming general admission, military displays, and temporary grandstands overlooking naval runways. âNBC predicts âtens of thousandsâ in attendance, supported by Sports San Diego to boost tourism .
đĄ Whatâs Next
Track layout â Final design expected this fall . Ticket info â Pre-sales and deposits available later this year via NASCARSanDiego.com . Broadcast â Cup race on Prime Video, Xfinity on The CW, Trucks on FOX Sports .
đŻ Final Take
From battleships to burnouts, this event isnât just a raceâitâs a mission-driven celebration of American spirit, the Navyâs legacy, and NASCARâs vision of adventurous innovation. With technical course design, military precision, and veteran partnership, âNASCAR San Diego Weekendâ promises to be a landmark event in motorsports.
