A New Era for Road‑Course Qualifying
NASCAR is set to make its debut on the Qualcomm Circuit in San Diego, California, with the inaugural Cup Series race scheduled for Sunday, June 21, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The event, known as the Anduril 250, will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video, marking a significant expansion of the series into a dedicated road‑course venue.
The qualifying procedure follows a standard road‑course format, splitting the 38‑car field into two groups. Each group will receive a 20‑minute window during which drivers can complete as many laps as they wish. The combined lap times from both groups will determine the full starting lineup for the race.
The 3.4‑mile (5.472‑kilometer) Coronado Street Course features 19 turns and presents a unique challenge that blends high‑speed straights with technical sections. Its layout has been designed to test both car setup and driver skill, making the qualifying session especially critical for teams seeking a competitive edge.
What’s at Stake
The new format not only determines the starting order but also adds a layer of strategy, as teams must balance fuel, tire wear, and lap‑time optimization within the limited 20‑minute windows. The combined results will reflect the overall speed of each car across both groups, rewarding consistency and adaptability.
Trackhouse Racing, Spire Motorsports, Team Penske, Front Row Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, RFK Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Kaulig Racing, Haas Factory Team, Legacy Motor Club, Wood Brothers Racing, and Rick Ware Racing are among the organizations fielding entries. Drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen, Carson Hocevar, and Ryan Blaney will be among those looking to capitalize on the new format.
The driver field includes a roster of seasoned competitors and rising talents, featuring names like Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece, Connor Zilisch, Michael McDowell, Austin Hill, Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim, Kyle Larson, A.J. Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Kevin Magnussen, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Riley Herbst, Cole Custer, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, John Hunter Nemechek, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Noah Gragson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ty Dillon, Josh Berry, Jimmie Johnson, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones, and Cody Ware. Their participation underscores the breadth of talent that will contest the historic event.
Beyond the on‑track action, the race represents a milestone for NASCAR’s strategic push into global markets and digital broadcasting. By partnering with Amazon Prime Video, the series aims to reach a broader audience while showcasing the evolving nature of stock‑car racing on a street‑circuit layout.