NASCAR’s premier Cup Series is set to make history this weekend as it takes to the waterfront of Naval Base Coronado, an active U.S. Navy installation just off the coast of San Diego. The Anduril 250, scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 21, will be the first Cup race ever held on a military base, blending the speed of stock cars with the distinctive terrain of a working naval airfield.
The 3.4‑mile circuit is unlike any track on the season’s schedule. Fresh pavement meets worn streets, a rough tarmac where jets regularly land, and even sections that echo train‑style tracks. Drivers will navigate 16 turns that climb and fall, while more than 3,000 barriers have been installed to protect the course, creating a layout that feels part racetrack, part obstacle course.
A Unique Setting on a Military Base
What makes the event especially compelling is the juxtaposition of high‑octane racing against a backdrop of naval tradition. The base’s unique surface forces teams to adapt their setups on the fly, and the presence of military personnel adds a layer of ceremony that has never been seen in the sport.
The race will be broadcast live on Prime Video, giving viewers across the country a chance to watch the action in real time. It will be divided into three segments, and the distance — 75 laps around the 3.4‑mile track for a total of 255 miles — makes it the longest Cup event of the season in terms of total mileage.
Shane van Gisbergen, the pole sitter, is already being hailed as NASCAR’s king of road courses. He has won six of the last seven road‑course races at the Cup level and is just two victories away from tying Jeff Gordon’s all‑time record for road‑course wins. The New Zealand‑born driver will be looking to add another milestone to his résumé on a track that promises to test even his formidable skill set.
Joining van Gisbergen will be a roster of top talent, including Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and Corey Day, each of whom will have to contend with the track’s quirks. Teams such as 23XI Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing and Trackhouse Racing are expected to bring their best engineering solutions to cope with the unique challenges, after drivers in the Truck and Xfinity series reported issues ranging from a manhole cover lodged in a radiator to walls being scraped by the cars.
Beyond the competition, the event underscores NASCAR’s expanding footprint beyond traditional venues. By staging a Cup race on a military installation, the series is tapping into a new audience and reinforcing its reputation for innovation, all while delivering a spectacle that blends speed, strategy and the unmistakable roar of American stock cars.