The Naval Base Coronado will host the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026
It’s been rumored for months, now it’s official and the dates are set.
NASCAR is returning to Southern California. The street race in 2026 will be run on the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
This will be the first time NASCAR is competing on an active military base. It will be a triple-header race weekend including the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series.
For the past three seasons, NASCAR has been racing on the streets of Downtown, Chicago. However, it appears that race will stutter for the 2026 season as the city and NASCAR work out details regarding a possible return.
Ben Kennedy comments
“What a special way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Navy, 250th anniversary of our country and put on what is going to be undoubtedly the most anticipated event of 2026,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s executive vice president, chief venue & racing innovation officer.
“And I’m bullish on it being the best sporting event of the year.”
What will the track be like?
“It’ll be a blend of traditional street racing in a way where we’ll be winding our ways through some of the streets on the base,” Kennedy said.
“They’ll be going past (aircraft) carriers. They’ll eventually go out onto the tarmac, probably by some military aircraft, maybe a couple of F-18s out there, and then back towards the entrance to the base.”
“Part of the course will be a bit set in stone because we can’t move many of the streets around, but part of it will also be a blank canvas as well,” Kennedy added.
“Once we go out on the tarmac, whether it’s hairpins or chicanes or S-turns, long straightaways, we’re playing with a handful of configurations and we have a few drivers that we’ve gotten feedback from on what that could potentially look like. We’ll share more on the final course layout later this fall, but I would expect it to look unlike anything that they’ve had in the past around the base.”
“We’re not going to be on city grounds. We’re going to be working with different partners in this area and I think in ways, it will be a little bit more simple, and then in other areas we’ll just have to be mindful of schedules and how they coordinate people on and off the base.”
“I think it emphasizes the fact that not only we can race literally anywhere in the world, but that we have some of the best and most versatile drivers in all of motorsports as well.”
Kennedy added, “It’s the most diverse schedule that we have in our sport, and I would argue the most diverse schedule across all of motorsports when you consider the different amounts of track types that we race at.”
Navy comments
“NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,” Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan said in a press release.
“Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation, it’s not just a historic first, it’s a powerful tribute to the values we share: grit, teamwork and love of country. From the flight deck to the finish line, this collaboration reflects the operational intensity and unity of purpose that define both the United States Navy and NASCAR.”
Phelan added, “We’re proud to open our gates to the American people, honor those who serve, and inspire the next generation to step forward and serve something greater than themselves.”
“As Commanding Officer of Naval Base Coronado and on behalf of the United States Navy, it’s an honor to partner with NASCAR at NAS North Island as part of our 250th anniversary celebration,” Captain Loren Jacobi said in a press release.
Jacobi added, “Hosting one of America’s premier motorsports events on this historic base reflects our partnership with the local community and our shared pride in the nation’s heritage. We are privileged to showcase the dedication of our Sailors alongside NASCAR’s finest as we celebrate our 250th anniversary.”
San Diego NASCAR Dates
Friday, June 19
NASCAR Truck Series
Saturday, June 20
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Sunday, June 21
NASCAR Cup Series
This will be running on the 250th anniversary of the Navy and the United States.
NASCAR in San Diego Video
NASCAR San Diego Poster
