Coronado is known for its beaches, parks and picturesque waterfront views, but next weekend the city will find itself in the national spotlight for a very different reason.

The inaugural NASCAR street race at Naval Base Coronado is set to take place during Father’s Day weekend as part of celebrations marking the nation’s 250th birthday. The highly anticipated event will bring the NASCAR Cup Series to San Diego for the first time, drawing tens of thousands of fans and generating excitement among many locals — while also raising concerns about traffic and congestion.

Tickets for the event are nearly sold out, and NASCAR officials expect roughly 50,000 attendees on the base each day.

For Coronado resident Mark O’Brien, the race represents an opportunity to showcase the city to a worldwide audience.

“It’s a world-class event that they’ve chosen to host here in Coronado,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien plans to attend both days of racing and believes the community is ready for the influx of visitors.

“We feel it’s a big opportunity and it’s a wonderful thing to showcase our town and create future tourism,” he said.

While some residents have expressed concerns about the additional traffic, O’Brien said large crowds are nothing new for Coronado.

“We’re not new to big events here in Coronado,” he said. “Fourth of July is always a ton of people coming over the bridge for that.”

Still, city officials and event organizers have been warning residents to expect delays. Signs posted throughout Coronado alert drivers about potential traffic impacts during race weekend.

“I think we’re prepared for it,” O’Brien said. “I’m sure people have to be a little patient, but I think a little patience is going to pay off.”

Another local looking forward to the race is Gary Taylor, a longtime Coronado musician and member of the band Ron’s Garage, which regularly performs at McP’s Irish Pub on Orange Avenue.

Taylor is also a longtime NASCAR fan. He previously held season tickets at the now-closed Auto Club Speedway in Fontana and even had the chance to drive a NASCAR vehicle as part of a birthday gift experience.

“My significant other got me one for my birthday,” Taylor said. “So I drove one of Dale Jr.’s old cars, good ol’ 88.”

Taylor said bringing NASCAR to San Diego is something he never expected to see.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “Since they got rid of the one in Fontana, which was very close, I used to go there every year. I think it’s going to be quite a scene.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Taylor plans to avoid the traffic by staying home and watching the race on television.

“I think it’s gonna be quite a bit of traffic, so I’m leaving early,” he said with a laugh.

Still, he believes race fans are in for an unforgettable experience.

“From the drivers to the cars, it’s quite a spectacle,” Taylor said. “If you’ve never been to a NASCAR race, the TV doesn’t do it justice.”

That combination of excitement and cautious anticipation appears to reflect the mood across much of Coronado as race weekend approaches. Many residents acknowledge the challenges that come with hosting a major event but also see the potential benefits for local businesses and tourism.

“When this community comes together, we can host big events like this and we can do special things,” O’Brien said. “This is a world-class event and it’s going to bring millions of eyes to our town.”

NASCAR is scheduled to hold a news conference Monday morning to address traffic concerns ahead of the event. Representatives from the U.S. Navy, the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and the City of Coronado are also expected to participate.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.