NASCAR Drivers Tackle New Naval Base Coronado Track with Simulators and Virtual Prep
NASCAR is turning to an unexpected training ground as it prepares for a debut race on the temporary circuit laid out at Naval Base Coronado. Drivers are spending hours in front of large screens, navigating virtual replicas of the course before they ever feel the asphalt under their tires. Denny Hamlin, a veteran of the sport, has made simulator work a cornerstone of his weekend routine, while Bubba Wallace typically allocates between half an hour and an hour to the same purpose. Anthony Alfredo, who is not a full‑time NASCAR competitor, relies on iRacing to study the nuances of the San Diego layout, a track that shares several characteristics with the Chicago Street Course. Both drivers stress the importance of site markers — painted arrows, cones and other reference points — that help them memorize the circuit’s rhythm.
