NASCAR will debut in San Diego in 2026, with a historic race weekend set for June 19–21 at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado. It marks the first-ever NASCAR event on an active military base and will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
All three top NASCAR series (Truck, Xfinity, and Cup) will compete, with the Cup Series race on Sunday. The new event replaces the Chicago Street Race for 2026, though NASCAR aims to return to Chicago in 2027.
The San Diego street course is expected to be about three miles long—potentially the longest on the schedule—and will weave through the base, passing aircraft carriers and military jets on the tarmac.
NASCAR sees this as a patriotic tribute and a major expansion into a new West Coast market following the closure of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen, who famously won the 2023 Chicago debut, is expected to be a strong contender.
This one-year deal is also anticipated to bring major economic benefits to the city, with more layout details to be revealed this fall.
Wish it were more than a 1yr deal. This race is gonna be absolutely SICK!!! HOOAH! ANCHORS AWEIGH!