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NASCAR unveils San Diego course layout for inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado

Meby: Nick Geddes10/21/25NickGeddesNews

NASCAR on Tuesday unveiled the course layout for the inaugural NASCAR weekend at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. The race weekend, scheduled for June 19-21, 2026, will see drivers compete on a 16-turn, 3.4-mile street circuit.

The event will help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy that weekend. Per NASCAR, here are some of the highlights of the layout:

  • The Ellyson Start/Finish Line: Named in honor of Commander Theodore Ellyson, Naval Aviator Number One. His training at North Island laid the foundation for its commissioning as a naval air station in 1917 and eventual recognition as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation.”
  • Turn 5, Carrier Corner: This sharp left-hand turn is located between the docking location of two aircraft carriers.
  • Turn 8, Coronado Chicane: This begins a series of turns that will provide drivers with a steep challenge as they speed toward the interior of the base.
  • Turn 14, Runway Road: Aptly named, given it is located near the north end of Runway 18/36 at Halsey Field.

“It’s so exciting to finally share the street course layout and provide this first look for our longtime and new fans,” NASCAR San Diego president Amy Lupo said in a statement. “Anticipation for this event is already high, and we know this course layout will raise that level of excitement even higher. We can’t wait to see how the best drivers in the world meet this challenge, while celebrating America’s Navy.”

NASCAR all set for return to Southern California, first race weekend in San Diego

The event in San Diego will be NASCAR’s first points races in Southern California since 2023. It is replacing the Chicago Street Race on the 2026 Cup Series schedule, which were held on the July 4 weekend each of the last three seasons. 

The races will be open to the public, despite taking place on a military base. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer, previously said NASCAR is expecting “tens of thousands” fans to attend.

“The great part about it is the base has plenty of space to use, and the course will be pretty sizable, too,” Kennedy said. “We’ll have grandstands and suites and hospitality areas. But we’ll also be selling more of a general admission ticket, which will probably have a lot of volume. So, we would expect quite a few people to be attending this event.”