Keelan Harvick, left, and his father former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, right, race in the 13th annual Masters of the Pros 200 race on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Owosso Speedway.
San Diego, California – In a landmark announcement that’s already turning heads across the motorsports world, NASCAR revealed it will host its first-ever race on an active U.S. military base—and it’s happening in San Diego.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, NASCAR San Diego Weekend will roar to life at Naval Base Coronado from June 19 to 21, 2026. The event, falling on Father’s Day weekend, promises to be unlike anything fans of the sport—or the city—have ever seen. The event will be open to the general public, offering a rare opportunity for civilians to experience life inside one of the Navy’s most significant West Coast installations.
The weekend will feature three days of racing, including the Craftsman Truck Series on Friday, the Xfinity Series on Saturday, and the NASCAR Cup Series as the main event on Sunday. It will be only the second street course race in Cup Series history, following the recent three-year run of NASCAR’s Chicago street race.
Event organizers, including Sports San Diego—the group behind the Holiday Bowl—anticipate a major boost to the region’s tourism and hospitality industries. The race is expected to draw national attention not only for its unique location but also for its dramatic setting. The still-in-development track is expected to span close to three miles across Naval Base Coronado, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, aircraft carriers, and military aircraft such as F-18s on the tarmac.
San Diego’s selection as the host city stemmed in part from the visual appeal it offers to both in-person spectators and television audiences. The race will highlight the city’s coastal beauty while integrating key elements of the military base into the viewing experience.
Tickets are already available for presale deposits through the NASCAR San Diego website. Fans who reserve early will receive priority when official ticket packages become available. While exact security measures for accessing the base have not yet been announced, organizers are preparing for public attendance and plan to release further logistical details in the coming months.
The idea to bring a NASCAR event to San Diego gained traction after consulting with seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, a native of nearby El Cajon. The concept of holding a race in his hometown helped galvanize support for the project, which had long seemed unlikely due to the absence of a traditional oval track in the region.
Although NASCAR has not confirmed whether the San Diego race will become an annual fixture, the 2026 event will serve as a pilot for future collaborations between the sport and the U.S. military. Naval Base Coronado, which spans nine installations across Southern California, will serve as a striking and symbolic venue for what may become one of NASCAR’s most memorable weekends.
