NASCAR Invades Coronado: Drivers Huddle With Sailors Before Historic Base Race

Yesterday, NASCAR drivers Ryan Preece, Ty Dillon and Christopher Bell dropped in on sailors at Naval Air Station North Island as the sport gets ready for a first-of-its-kind race on an active military base. The meet-and-greets and briefings were part of pre-race outreach ahead of the NASCAR San Diego Weekend, set for Father's Day weekend in June.

The visit included a squadron-assignment ceremony emceed by former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, according to FOX 5 San Diego. Several drivers, including Preece, Dillon and Bell, toured NAS North Island and talked with sailors about day-to-day life on base. Dillon told Fox 5 he felt "energized" after meeting service members and will run the USS Carl Vinson on his car.

Course Layout Blends Streets And Tarmac

NASCAR has released renderings of a 16-turn, 3.4-mile course that snakes through base streets, runs past docked carriers and then stretches onto sections of tarmac and runways, creating a mix of asphalt and concrete with both rough and smooth surfaces. NASCAR San Diego describes it as one of the longest tracks on the 2026 schedule and says long, fast straightaways leading into tight corners should create plenty of passing zones. The route also appeared in the official announcement on NASCAR.com, which framed the Coronado weekend as part of the Navy's 250th-anniversary celebrations.

Drivers Paired With Ships

During the squadron assignment, drivers were matched with specific ships and units in an effort to tighten the bond between NASCAR and the Navy. Christopher Bell said that racing in a brand-new venue and heading to San Diego "will be an amazing event," and drivers called the chance to meet sailors both humbling and motivating, according to FOX 5 San Diego.

Fan Access And Tickets

Organizers say the three-day NASCAR San Diego Weekend will kick off with a Navy Community Day on Friday, followed by an O'Reilly Auto Parts/Xfinity race on Saturday and the Cup Series main event on Sunday, with tickets and pre-sale deposits available through the event site. NASCAR San Diego notes that entry to the federal installation will require a government-issued ID for U.S. citizens and that some Friday activities will be reserved for military personnel and select local residents.

The Coronado stop will mark the first time NASCAR stages a national series event on an active military base, a move that represents a significant logistical and promotional push for San Diego in 2026. Coverage from The Los Angeles Times and NASCAR's own reporting highlights both the spectacle of racing around carriers and runways and the broader goal of honoring the Navy during its 250th-anniversary year.