SAN DIEGO — The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opens the San Diego race weekend Friday night with the Navy 250, marking the series’ first visit to the Naval Base Coronado street circuit.
The 3.4-mile Qualcomm Circuit becomes the 12th road course in Truck Series history and just the second temporary street course the series has contested.
The race comes at a critical point in the regular season, with Layne Riggs holding a slim 26-point lead over Kaden Honeycutt atop the standings.
Riggs brings momentum, winning two of the past four races and showing significant improvement across the season’s second half.
Honeycutt, meanwhile, secured his first career Truck Series victory earlier this season on a road course and has consistently run near the front on similar layouts.
Road course racing in the Truck Series has recently been dominated by TRICON Garage and Front Row Motorsports, which have combined to win the last eight events.
The 50-lap race is expected to hinge on late-race execution. Five of the last six road course races have seen the final lead change occur in the last 10 laps.
Adding fan intrigue, seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson makes his first Truck Series start since 2008, joined by veterans Jamie McMurray and Brendan Gaughan.
As with the weekend’s other events, track position and clean execution will be critical on the tight, unforgiving circuit.
The green flag is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.