SPORTS

NASCAR Holds First Cup Race On Military Base

PUBLISHED Jun 19, 2026, 1:57 AM ET

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San Diego. NASCAR staged its first Cup Series race on an active military base at Naval Base Coronado June 19–21, running a newly built 3.4-mile Qualcomm Circuit with 16 turns. Organizers completed track wall and barrier installation from June 1–17; practice and qualifying took place Friday and Saturday, with the Anduril 250 scheduled Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Coronado officials and NASCAR highlighted the event's tie to the U.S. Navy 250th anniversary and featured guests including Grand Marshal Drew Brees and Honorary Pace Car Rider Trevor Hoffman. RFK Racing entered the No.6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang; broadcasts aired on Prime Video and MRN, ticket sales showed weekend general admission sell-outs, and post-race operational assessments are planned.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Late May 2026 — construction begins on the Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado.
June 1, 2026 — track walls and barriers begin installation along the street course.
June 1–17, 2026 — continued layout work and barrier installation across the course.
June 19–21, 2026 — NASCAR San Diego race weekend, including the United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 and Anduril 250.
June 21, 2026 — Anduril 250 scheduled at 4 p.m. ET; national broadcast on Prime Video.

News Intelligence

This historic race is a unique blend of sports and military celebration. It's a chance to enjoy NASCAR in a new setting while honoring the Navy's 250th anniversary. If you missed it, check out the highlights on Prime Video.

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Who Benefited

NASCAR, participating teams (including RFK Racing), broadcasters, sponsors and Coronado-area businesses gained visibility, ticket revenue, and tourism from hosting the first Cup Series race on an active U.S. military base.

Who Impacted

Local residents and Naval Base Coronado personnel experienced access restrictions, construction disruption and increased security and logistical burdens during the late-May build and the June 19–21 race weekend.

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