Two veteran NASCAR figures are set to make a nostalgic return to Naval Base Coronado this weekend, turning the track into a homecoming for both the drivers and the service members who once called the base home.
Al Niece, the pioneering founder of the Craftsman Trucks program, served at Coronado during the Vietnam War, while Jeff Swearengin, a former Marine turned interior mechanic and tire specialist for Ty Gibbs’ No. 54 Toyota, was stationed there a dozen years later.
Both men attended the same Forward Observer school on the base, half a century apart, forging a unique bond that now brings them back to the same grounds for a historic NASCAR event.
A Salute to Service
Swearengin, who doubles as a cockpit caretaker and windshield prep specialist, describes his pride in being part of a racing weekend that honors the Navy, while Niece, one of only two Vietnam veterans still active in NASCAR’s three national touring divisions, looks forward to meeting today’s active-duty troops.
The gathering underscores a growing partnership between NASCAR and the Navy, using the sport’s platform to salute military service and connect the racing community with those who have worn the uniform.