What it was like
Naval Base Coronado becomes the most unlikely racetrack in NASCAR history on June 19–21, 2026 — and that is exactly the point. For the first time ever, an active United States military base will host a NASCAR race weekend, placing the Craftsman Truck Series, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the crown jewel NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 against a backdrop of aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and the wide blue sprawl of San Diego Bay.
The Coronado Street Course features 16 turns carved through Naval Air Station North Island, offering sightlines no traditional oval can match. Turn 16 sits at the edge of the bay. The grandstands look over the flight deck toward downtown San Diego. This is not a race at an anonymous speedway — it is a race inside a working carrier air base during the peak of summer.
Getting here requires planning. All guests 18 and older must show a government-issued ID to access the federal installation. US citizens need a Real ID-compliant license; foreign nationals need a passport. Vehicles enter through designated checkpoints on Third Street in Coronado. Parking inside the base is limited — the official transportation plan recommends shuttles from the Coronado Ferry Landing and from off-site lots in downtown San Diego.
Sunday grandstands are already sold out. Friday and Saturday tickets remain available through Ticketmaster. General field access on Saturday is still open. If you are going, Friday's truck race is the insider move: shorter crowds, faster access, full speed on the street circuit. The Cup Series Sunday finale is the main event for casual fans, but the Truck Series is where the driving gets interesting.
This is a one-of-a-kind SoCal event. No road course in the country shares a runway with active military aircraft. The inaugural year is the one to catch.