NASCAR has finalized its road course map for the historic trio of races at Naval Base Coronado next Father’s Day weekend.
But the posting of the course map, which was originally planned for late last month, has been delayed partially due to the government shutdown.
The announcement could come as early as next week, with tickets going on sale soon afterwards.
“Everything is in place, we’re ready to go,” Matt Humphrey, NASCAR’s senior director of track communications, said earlier this week. “All I can tell you preliminarily is that the track has some great vistas of San Diego Bay.”
Otherwise, planning for the June 19-21, 2026, race on Coronado is running better than expected.
“Drivers are stoked about this event,” said Humphrey. “Our fans are stoked about this event. The pre-sale deposits are beyond expectations. People have reached out on the pre-sale program. This is going to be a destination race for our fans across the country. And the reaction in San Diego and the region has also been excellent.
“Nobody does military better than NASCAR. That is a fact to the nth degree. This is our chance to contribute to service morale on the 250th anniversary of the Navy and the nation. And to contribute to our morale. Every driver and crewman know what this opportunity represents.”
While fans are still awaiting the release of the official course and grandstand layouts, many drivers have already experienced the circuit — including shadows — using the iRacing program on their computers. NASCAR first used the computer simulations before races at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the road course event at Grant Park in Chicago.
But nothing will totally prepare drivers for what they’ll find when the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Trucks Series all race around the roads and tarmacs at Naval Base Coronado.
“On road courses, the track evolves during a race,” said seven-time NASCAR champion and El Cajon native Jimmie Johnson. “And the way the track is so compressed, the consequences to making a mistake are very high. You need experience in a concrete environment. You have to be precise on a road course, particularly a temporary road course like Chicago or Coronado.
“Depending on where the sun and shadows fall, track temperatures can vary during the race. Lines can change during a race. When that happens, rubber buildup moves on the course, and marbles pile up in different areas. There are many more variables than on an oval.
“NASCAR did a great job with Chicago (of) building good passing zones and opportunities to put on a good show. And I think Coronado, with the very wide tarmacs, the racing could be even better. There will be plenty of challenges. Pit road is going to be a major concern. I don’t know all the challenges they are going to face.”
NASCAR San Diego weekend graphic
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“I’m biased about my love of road and street courses,” driver Mike McDowell said recently. “The visual references, the shifts, the braking, every corner is different. You have to be the total package to be better on a road course.”
But the Coronado race will have one thing no other road race has ever had — a military presence.
“It’s so very cool,” said McDowell. “When you think about military servicemen and to be able to serve them and their families for a weekend. Coronado is a one-of-a-kind event, unlike anything we’ve ever done before.
“But I like the direction of NASCAR in general. More than any other time, over the last couple years we’ve been exploring new venues and new markets. It’s a great opportunity to expand the sport. I’ve been in the sport for 20 years and, for most part, we go to same spots over and over.”
Originally Published: October 8, 2025 at 11:47 AM PDT