CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR will hold a street race on Naval Base Coronado in Southern California next June as a replacement for its downtown Chicago event that ran the last three years.

The move to the San Diego area does not eliminate a return to Chicago, where NASCAR will still maintain an office and effort an eventual return, perhaps as early as 2027.

But the shift next year will allow NASCAR to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy by hosting all three of its national series over a three-day weekend on June 19-21.

“As part of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are honored for NASCAR to join the celebration as we host our first street race at a military base, Naval Base Coronado,” Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer, said Wednesday. “NASCAR San Diego Weekend will honor the Navy’s history and the men and women who serve as we take the best motorsports in the world to the streets of Naval Base Coronado.”

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It will be NASCAR’s second street race in the sport’s history, following the three-year run in Chicago, and first on an active military base. The course layout is not complete but is expected to be around 3 miles.

NASCAR has seen Auto Club Speedway close after the 2023 race. It built a temporary short track inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 2002 through 2024 but moved that event to North Carolina.

Kennedy, who has been bullish on new endeavors for his family business, was the brains of the races at the Coliseum, Chicago, this year’s visit to Mexico City and now next year in San Diego, a venture the Navy is excited about.

“NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,” Navy Secretary John C. Phelan said. “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.”

The base is known as the “West Coast Quarterdeck” and is a consortium of nine Navy installations that stretch from San Clemente Island 50 miles off the coast of Long Beach to the Mountain Warfare Training Facility 50 miles east of San Diego.

NASCAR named Amy Lupo, who has been with the series since 2021 and helped launch the Coliseum, as president of the race. She spent more than 20 years at ESPN expanding the X Games when she lived in San Diego early in her career. She still lives in Southern California.

Front Row Motorsports is gearing up for the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, as Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith prepare to compete. Riggs, currently third in the Truck Series Driver Championship points, boasts a strong track record at this 0.6-mile circuit with two top-five finishes in three prior starts. Smith, second in the standings, aims to capitalize on his two wins this season, accompanied by new sponsor Rural King. Both drivers are eager to showcase their skills following a break in the schedule.

By the Numbers

• Layne Riggs has three top-10 finishes and two top-fives at IRP.
• Chandler Smith has two wins and 11 top-10 finishes in the first 15 races of the season.

State of Play

• Riggs ranks third in the Truck Series points standings following his latest race.
• Smith’s recent performance includes 11 top-10 finishes, enhancing his championship run.

What’s Next

Fans can expect an exciting race as both Riggs and Smith look to consolidate their standings in the Truck Series. The pairing of Riggs with CLEW Nicotine Pouches and Smith with Rural King signals strong sponsorship commitments as the season progresses. Anticipations are high for competitive performances at this historical track.

Bottom Line

The upcoming TSport 200 highlights the critical moment for both Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith as they seek to solidify their positions in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. With strong past performances and new sponsorships, both drivers are poised for impactful runs at IRP, making this race crucial for their championship aspirations.

“We’re not just putting up a prize – we’re planting a flag.”

I’ve spent the last 18 months working on this – planning, building, revisiting history, gathering data, talking to legends, pulling quotes, and trying to piece together what could be the biggest move of my career in drag racing. I didn’t do it because I thought it would be easy. I didn’t do it because I thought it would be universally loved. I did it because I believe, deep in my soul, that bold moves are what this sport needs right now.

The result is the Elite Motorsports Million – a $1,000,000 bonus for any Pro Mod driver who can sweep all three races in the 2025-2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series. Three races. Fifteen rounds. One life-changing opportunity.

This is the largest performance-based payout in drag racing history. It’s not a season-long championship fund or a points payout. It’s not loaded with contingencies. It’s not theoretical. It’s real. And it’s right there for the taking.

In the spring of 2024, Jon Asher wrote something in CompetitionPlus.com that’s stuck with me ever since. He said, “The cash purse offered by NHRA is not only an insult to the competitors who fill the seats with paying customers, it’s demeaning to the very organization that stages those events.” He wasn’t wrong. For too long, we’ve been afraid to talk about money in drag racing. We’ve whispered about payouts while other forms of motorsport – and frankly, other sports entirely – have shouted theirs from the rooftops. The purse structure in drag racing has long been a sore subject, but if we want Fortune 500 companies to take this sport seriously, we have to start talking like we’re worth it. We have to show that we believe it ourselves.

This isn’t a new problem. In 1971, drag racing legend Don Garlits was invited on a USO tour with Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti. The racers got to talking about prize money, and when Garlits mentioned that his richest payday was $7,400 – including contingencies – they laughed at him. Not out of disrespect, but out of disbelief. That moment embarrassed Garlits so much that he helped form the Professional Racers Association and put on an event at Tulsa International Raceway that offered $25,000 to win – a sum that forced NHRA to raise their own purses and re-evaluate their structure. That one moment of laughter became a catalyst for change.

That’s what the Elite Motorsports Million is for me. It’s not just about ego or attention – it’s about turning the tide. Because I believe in something I think too many people have forgotten: a rising tide lifts all boats.

The phrase is most often credited to John F. Kennedy, but the sentiment predates him by generations. In the context of drag racing, I believe it applies now more than ever. I’ve heard the critiques – that this money could’ve gone to sportsman racing, or bracket racers, or been spread around more evenly. I get it. I’ve lived in that world. But I also believe we need to make investments in the parts of our sport that can shine the brightest, the loudest, and the farthest. And in my eyes, that’s Pro Mod.

Pro Mod has long been the universal language of drag racing. It’s contested around the world. It’s accessible. It’s relatable. It’s diverse in every way imaginable – in power adder, in chassis, in engine combination, in car body, in competitor. In 2024 alone, more than 150 drivers competed in national and regional Pro Mod series in North America, and nearly 100 different drivers made runs in the Drag Illustrated Winter Series. That’s not just participation – that’s movement. That’s momentum.

Pro Mod is the tip of the spear, and if we can drive attention, energy, and investment into it, the impact ripples across the entire sport. More media. More marketing. More people in the stands. More sponsors entering the ecosystem. More opportunity – not less – for everyone involved. It’s not about who gets what piece of the pie. It’s about making a bigger pie.

And speaking of big, let’s talk money. You want to know why we don’t have more big brands in drag racing? Why we’re not seeing Fortune 500 logos on the side of trailers or activation zones filled with tech companies and beverage brands? It’s because the numbers – in many cases – just don’t add up.

In 2024, the American Cornhole League handed out nearly $8 million in total prize money. World Chase Tag paid out $50,000 in a single event. Competitive eating offered $100,000 to the winner of a hot dog eating contest on Netflix. There are rock-paper-scissors tournaments paying five figures to winners. It’s crazy – but it’s also proof of something: the money follows visibility, and visibility follows bold moves. Someone had to be the first to say, “Hey, we’re playing tag for 50 grand.” Or “We’re going to crown a world champion in cornhole and pay them six figures.” That’s what this is. That’s what we’re doing.

Will winning the Elite Motorsports Million be easy? Hell no. You’re talking about fifteen straight round wins in one of the most competitive classes in the world. The baddest door cars on earth. The best tuners. The deepest fields. And that’s what makes it so damn exciting.

If someone can pull it off, they won’t just win a million dollars – they’ll become an icon. A legend. Just like when Bill Elliott became “Million Dollar Bill” after winning three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races in 1985. That move – the Winston Million – helped elevate NASCAR into the national conversation. It was one of the sport’s most ambitious promotional efforts, and it worked. It wasn’t easy. But it made people care. It got them talking. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

I know this sport has history. I know there’s tradition. But I also know that too often, we let tradition become a prison. Too many decisions are made based on what was done before – not what could be done next. We’ve spent decades chasing the ghosts of drag racing past, but growth doesn’t happen by looking backward. It happens when we go outward.

The Elite Motorsports Million is a challenge. It’s a spark. It’s a rallying cry for what this sport can be if we dare to think bigger. We’re not asking for permission. We’re just doing it.

Not everyone will love it. Some will doubt it. That’s okay.

But someone – maybe even someone reading this right now – is going to win it. And when they do, they won’t just change their life…

They’ll change the sport.

And that, to me, is worth every single dollar.

This story was originally published on July 23, 2025.

For the first time ever, NASCAR is hosting an event on an active military base, and it’s coming to San Diego to do it. In a bit of a surprise, the event is going to be open to the general public.

To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Navy, NASCAR will hold a special street course race at Naval Base Coronado from June 19-21, 2026, which also falls on Father’s Day weekend.

This isn’t just a race. It’s a mission.

See you on the base in 2026, @NASCARSanDiego. pic.twitter.com/aN3MDSDU3L

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 23, 2025

“As part of our nation’s 250^th anniversary, we are honored for NASCAR to join the celebration as we host our first street race at a military base, Naval Base Coronado,” said Ben Kennedy, EVP, Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer in a statement. “NASCAR San Diego Weekend will honor the Navy’s history and the men and women who serve as we take the best motorsports in the world to the streets of Naval Base Coronado.”

NASCAR pit stops are a sport themselves with how much planning goes into a perfect pit stop. Here’s what you need to know about what happens during a pit stop.

This will be just the second Cup series race track staged on a street course, a venue much more common in Indy Car and F1 races (the first was in Chicago over the last three years). It will feature a full three days of racing with Craftsman Trucks running on Friday, the Xfinity Series on Saturday, and the main event with a NASCAR Cup series event on Sunday.

“This a huge win for San Diego and we are so grateful to NASCAR for their partnership,” said Mark Neville, CEO, Sports San Diego, the entity that also organizes the Holiday Bowl and is a partner in this event. “Without a doubt, the NASCAR San Diego Weekend will have a significant and favorable impact on San Diego’s tourism and hospitality industry. On top of that, being the first ever NASCAR race on an active military base is going to be quite the spectacle and you can’t beat Naval Base Coronado.”

The course layout is still being finalized but Kennedy tells NBC 7 they’re looking at close to a three-mile track running all through the base. When the idea of holding a race on an active military base came up a couple of years ago aesthetics for the viewing audience were considered, making San Diego an obvious candidate.

“You’ll have the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll see other shots to make for an amazing backdrop showing off San Diego,” says Kennedy. “But then we’re also going to be weaving our way to the So you’ll probably see a couple of carriers. You’ll see some F-18s out on the tarmac. It’s going to be a lot of fun for people watching at home and importantly, for the people watching here in person.”

Kennedy says tickets for the race will be made available to the general public, giving people a rare opportunity to spend time on a working U.S. military installation (details about security protocols were not made available). Presale signup for tickets is open now on the NASCAR San Diego website.

When the idea of coming to San Diego really started picking up steam they asked seven-time NASCAR Cup series champion Jimmie Johnson, an El Cajon native, his opinion of staging a race in America’s Finest City. He immediately gave a glowing endorsement.

“I honestly didn’t think that NASCAR would ever be able to race in San Diego,” says Johnson. “Growing up in El Cajon, watching it develop and change so much, watching El Cajon Speedway sadly go away, it’s just a reality of NASCAR in a traditional sense of an oval in San Diego, it just never seemed possible. To see this all come together now, I’m so excited to have a race in my hometown.”

As of right now there are no plans to make this an annual event, but that possibility does exist.

“As we’ve talked about this concept in general, we would love to have a race on a military base into the future,” says Kennedy. “Not sure what that looks like beyond 2026, whether it stays here in San Diego or potentially goes to other locations. But it’s something we’ve discussed.”

Naval Base Coronado is known as the “West Coast Quarterdeck” and is a consortium of nine Navy installations that stretch from San Clemente Island 50 miles off the coast of Long Beach to the Mountain Warfare Training Facility 50 miles east of San Diego.

Sure all major racing circuits have cars that are extremely fast. But do you know the difference between INDYCAR, F1 and NASCAR?

Willow Springs International Raceway showed off its new logo, a stylized checkered flag that’s also a “W”, as the venue begins to upgrade the facilities for racers and spectators. As we reported earlier this year, CrossHarbor Capital Partners bought the storied facility that includes three road courses, two oval tracks, a kart track, and a dedicated autocross/drift area.

According to a release from Willow Springs, track improvements are already underway, although details are scarce. We reached out for more info, but it seems that we’re still a few weeks away from learning anything specific. Videos on the track’s social media pages show there has already been progress on the venue’s kart track, but we’re sure that much of the bigger construction projects are still in the planning and permitting stages. One point that was mentioned may help allay some worries: the upgrades to the facility specifically note that the plans for Willow Springs will “maintain public access.” With so much room to work with, it shouldn’t be hard to cater to all kinds of enthusiasts at the High Desert track.

“We are honored to steward the next chapter of Willow Springs and are committed to preserving its rich legacy while making meaningful improvements that prioritize safety, performance, and the overall experience for motorsports enthusiasts,” said CrossHarbor Capital Partners co-founder Sam Byrne. “The new logo and initial improvements represent the first steps in our long-term vision to reestablish Willow Springs as the epicenter of Southern California car culture.”

Willow Springs Reimagined, a public launch event scheduled for Saturday, October 11, will be our first look at the initial upgrades to the grounds. The event encourages attendees to bring their ride for a casual, cars-and-coffee-style show with some cars on the track as well as a display from the Petersen Automotive Museum and Singer Vehicle Design, which has partnered with CrossHarbor on the venue. We’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Willow Springs Raceway, and the October event would be a great time to show off those grand plans.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR will hold a street race on Naval Base Coronado in Southern California next June as a replacement for its downtown Chicago event that ran the last three years.

The move to the San Diego area does not eliminate a return to Chicago, where NASCAR will still maintain an office and effort an eventual return, perhaps as early as 2027.

But the shift next year will allow NASCAR to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy by hosting all three of its national series over a three-day weekend on June 19-21.

“As part of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are honored for NASCAR to join the celebration as we host our first street race at a military base, Naval Base Coronado,” Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer, said Wednesday. “NASCAR San Diego Weekend will honor the Navy’s history and the men and women who serve as we take the best motorsports in the world to the streets of Naval Base Coronado.”

It will be NASCAR’s second street race in the sport’s history, following the three-year run in Chicago, and first on an active military base. The course layout is not complete but is expected to be around 3 miles.

NASCAR has seen Auto Club Speedway close after the 2023 race. It built a temporary short track inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 2002 through 2024 but moved that event to North Carolina.

Kennedy, who has been bullish on new endeavors for his family business, was the brains of the races at the Coliseum, Chicago, this year’s visit to Mexico City and now next year in San Diego, a venture the Navy is excited about.

“NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,” Navy Secretary John C. Phelan said. “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.”

The base is known as the “West Coast Quarterdeck” and is a consortium of nine Navy installations that stretch from San Clemente Island 50 miles off the coast of Long Beach to the Mountain Warfare Training Facility 50 miles east of San Diego.

NASCAR named Amy Lupo, who has been with the series since 2021 and helped launch the Coliseum, as president of the race. She spent more than 20 years at ESPN expanding the X Games when she lived in San Diego early in her career. She still lives in Southern California.

___

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