By [Your Name], July 2025
In a bold move thatâs got the racing world buzzing, NASCAR is reportedly exploring the possibility of staging its 2026 AllâStar Race aboard the USSâŻGeraldâŻR.âŻFord, the US Navyâs flagship aircraft carrier. If it comes to pass, the event would take place in the week leading up to the main Cup Series Street Course racesâcreating an unforgettable highâsea spectacle with a twist of nautical flair (via @TheAthletic).
đş The Setting: A Floating Short Track
The concept envisions a temporary track laid atop the Fordâs flight deckâsimilar in scale to last yearâs LA Coliseum Clash, which ran on a 0.25âmile oval inside the stadium . Engineered to safely house NASCARâs nextâgen cars, the layout would blend the tight, highâcontact dynamics of the Coliseum with the logistical ingenuity of a floating motorsports arena.
âď¸ Reddit WeighâIn: A Wild but StratâApproved Idea
The idea isnât new to raceâfan forums. A post from r/NASCARâs u/Samniss_Arandeen imagined just such a spectacle:
âThe US Navy Clash, held on a .4âmile paperclip oval constructed on the deck of the USSâŻGeraldâŻR.âŻFord moored just off Daytona BeachâŚâ
That suggestion sparked lots of comments envisioning onâdeck races framed by ocean views, aircraft launches, and carrier operations. It sounds extremeâbut thatâs kind of the point: NASCAR is always hunting for âwowâ factor.
đĽ Why It Makes Sense
Proven success: The Coliseum Clash set a templateâshortâtrack, stadiumâstyle NASCAR can draw big audiences; the 2022 event averaged 4.3âŻmillion viewers . Strategic timing: By slotting it just before the street course races, NASCAR could build a week-long momentum arcâfrom carrier decks to urban trackdays. Brand synergy: This would be a massive win for the Navy in terms of public relations and recruitment, showcasing cutting-edge naval assets alongside Americaâs fastest cars.
đ Challenges Ahead
Logistics & safety: Fitting a track with full SAFER barriers, runoff areas, pit crews, and emergency access onto a carrier is no small feat. Space constraints: The Ford-class deck (~1,092âŻft long) would require precise planning to support a safe, quarterâmile configuration. Costs & approvals: Coordinating between NASCAR, the Pentagon, and top-tier naval logistics would involve intense red tape and budgeting.
đŚ Whatâs Next?
NASCAR is currently evaluating feasibility, andâas of nowâno formal announcement has been made for the AllâStar Race location beyond this exploratory phase . But if greenâlit, we could see 2026 begin with an exhilarating carrierâdeck showdown before transitioning to the adrenaline of cityâstreet competition.
Final Verdict
The USSâŻGeraldâŻR.âŻFord AllâStar idea may seem outlandishâgrand evenâbut thatâs exactly the kind of bold, experiential stunt NASCAR now embraces. With precedent from stadium shortâtrack events, strong promotional potential, and fresh fan intrigue, this could be the next-level spectacle that reshapes the AllâStar format.
Will it happen? Stay tuned: if this floats, the NASCAR calendar could soon feature sea spray, fighter jets, and NASCAR under way on a naval giant.
