Shane van Gisbergen claimed the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series debut at Naval Base Coronado, posting an average speed of 90.809 mph that set the tone for a weekend steeped in history.
A historic weekend on the West Coast
Carson Hocevar will share the front row with the New Zealand‑born driver, underscoring the excitement surrounding the first ever Cup race on the 3.4‑mile street circuit that winds through the naval base.
The course itself is a fresh layout, but the area has a long tradition of road racing, dating back to the Coronado Speed Festival that ran from 1997 to 2016 on a 1.7‑mile circuit.
Various series have previously tested the layout, including the Mazda MX‑5 Cup in 2012‑13 and Stadium Super Trucks in 2014, giving drivers a preview of the challenges they will face.
The road‑course legacy of Coronado
Coronado’s racing pedigree stretches back decades, having hosted everything from amateur events to professional series, creating a unique cultural blend of military precision and motorsport flair.
The evolution from the 1.7‑mile festival course to the current 3.4‑mile configuration illustrates the community’s commitment to evolving with the sport while honoring its past.
Looking ahead to the rest of the 2026 season
The upcoming Anduril 250 will mark the 17th event of the 2026 Cup Series schedule and serves as the first of two consecutive California road‑course races, the second being at Sonoma later in the year.
Beyond the coastal swing, the regular season will continue with a mix of oval tracks, culminating in the August 29 finale at Daytona, leaving eight distinct oval formats to close out the championship.
The debut also highlights the growing partnership between NASCAR and Amazon’s Prime Video, which will broadcast the race as part of its expanding sports portfolio.