By: Davyn Horton
NASCAR is bold and innovative when it comes to their schedule. This boldness in scheduling is not changing for 2026. They have announced a historic race weekend for all three national series, which will involve racing through Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. The race weekend, held June 19-21, coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, and the United States itself. All in all, there is great history in the making for Father’s Day Weekend 2026. Racing on the grounds of an active millitary base has never been done before. However, NASCAR is making the history a part of their daily rotuine. It will be fascinating to see just where they take this historic weekend, from this moment forward.
In short, the NASCAR San Diego Weekend is coming, and it’s looking to make history, in more ways than one.
NASCAR San Diego Weekend Details
History in the making.
On July 23, NASCAR announced that all three national series will be heading to San Diego in 2026. This is interesting to note, as the Craftsman Truck Series was never a part of the Chicago street race weekend. In terms of the racing itself, it will happen Father’s Day Weekend 2026, June 19-21. It will include racing through Navel Base Coronado, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, as well as the 250th anniversary of the United States itself. In terms of who will broadcast each race, NASCAR reiterated that The CW will broadcast the Xfinity Series, and Fox Sports will broadcast the Truck Series. In addition, they confirmed that the Cup Series race in San Diego will be the final race of Amazon Prime Video’s five race portion of the schedule.
This will be just the second street course in NASCAR history. The first was the Chicago street course race, which Cup and Xfinity ran from 2022-2024. The street course in San Diego is effectively replacing the Chicago street course’s place on the schedule (though NASCAR is looking to return to the streets of Chicago in 2027).
In terms of the layout of the course itself, that will be revealed at a later date. However, NASCAR is actively working with iRacing on the layout. It is interesting to note that NASCAR also worked with iRacing on the layouts for the LA Memorial Coliseum and the Chicago street course.
In a statement regarding this historic race weekend, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan said the following:
NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. 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. 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.
All in all, this is a historic weekend in the making. Since its inception, patriotic culture has been part of the bloodstream of NASCAR itself. This race weekend in San Diego furthers that mission, in a very exciting way. Fans will flock to San Diego, as well as tune in around the world from home, to witness history being made in the streets of San Diego.
NASCAR Making History Once More
In conclusion, the NASCAR San Diego weekend is historic. The Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Cfraftsman Truck Series on the streets of San Diego will be a sight to behold. In addition, racing on an active millitary base will bring patriotic imagery unlike any other. All in all, this will go down in the history books as NASCAR taking a big swing with their scheduling. Whether it will turn into a home run or not, remains to be seen.