
From Football Field to NASCAR Pit: Alaka‘i Gilman’s Unexpected Victory
Former Punahou safety Alaka‘i Gilman captures his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega, turning a football background into a winning pit‑crew career.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Hendrick Motorsports across Nascar, Football.

Former Punahou safety Alaka‘i Gilman captures his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega, turning a football background into a winning pit‑crew career.

With Shane van Gisbergen’s dominant road‑course record and Kyle Larson topping practice, the temporary circuit at Coronado promises a high‑stakes showdown.

During a live ceremony aboard the historic USS Midway in San Diego, Kyle Larson was unveiled as the cover star for NASCAR 26, the first major console racing title in years. The event, streamed to fans worldwide, featured Larson taking the wheel of a stock car on the flight deck, sending clouds of tire smoke into the Pacific air, before stepping onto a panel to discuss the future of virtual motorsport.

NASCAR’s first race weekend on an active U.S. military base in San Diego blends high‑speed competition with a celebration of service, featuring veteran RF specialist Joe Lewin and a 3.4‑mile, 16‑turn track.

Kyle Larson topped the practice session at Naval Base Coronado with a 2:16.588 lap, while Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs trailed. Shane van Gisbergen could only manage eighth, and rookie Kevin Magnussen finished 29th on his NASCAR Cup debut. Christopher Bell raced with a fractured wrist, and 18‑year‑old Brent Crews nearly matched his lap time in relief.

Kevin Magnussen will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut this Sunday in the Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, driving for Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 entry. With a background in Formula One and only modest iRacing preparation, he acknowledges the steep learning curve while expressing gratitude for the opportunity.

Former Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen will step into the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse's Project91, citing excitement, family heritage and a lifelong fascination with the sport.

Betting markets see Shane van Gisbergen as the overwhelming favorite for NASCAR’s first San Diego race, highlighting his road‑course mastery and the debut of a new street circuit.

After a celebrated Formula 1 career, Kevin Magnussen is set to swap the paddock for the NASCAR Cup Series, joining Trackhouse’s Project91. He cites a lifelong fascination with the sport, his father’s historic start, and a willingness to explore any form of motorsport.

Former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen is set to debut in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse’s Project91, citing family inspiration and a desire to explore new racing horizons.

With odds of -160, Shane van Gisbergen enters the first NASCAR Cup Series street race in San Diego as the clear favorite, backed by a streak of road‑course victories and a seven‑race top‑five run. Competitors like Connor Zilisch and Tyler Reddick loom as potential challengers.

William Byron and Kyle Larson discuss the unique challenges of NASCAR’s inaugural race on the Coronado Naval Base, a historic street‑style event celebrating the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary.

Two‑time champion Kyle Larson was announced as the cover driver for NASCAR 26 during a high‑profile event at the USS Midway, where he performed a burnout in his No. 5 Chevrolet. The ceremony kicked off a full NASCAR weekend at Naval Base Coronado and previewed the game’s September launch across multiple platforms.

NASCAR’s first race on an active military base at Naval Base Coronado blends real‑world competition with gaming extensions, featuring Kyle Larson’s cover debut, virtual circuit availability in Fortnite and Roblox, and a Twitch partnership

Denny Hamlin's latest Pocono victory sets the stage for NASCAR's debut street circuit at Naval Base Coronado. The author breaks down the track's design, statistical trends from road courses, and the fantasy deadlines that could shape your lineup.

Chevrolet is rumored to be developing a new Cup Series body for 2027‑2028, reviving the Camaro, while Kyle Larson’s aircraft‑carrier burnouts showcase a prototype with a radically different silhouette.

A crash at Michigan has opened the door for young driver Brent Crews, who brings a strong track record in lower series and the backing of major sponsors.

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.

William Byron capped his 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign with a third‑place finish at Pocono, as Rajah Caruth prepares for a pivotal weekend at San Diego and Andrew Patterson takes over the No. 32 ride.

NASCAR's inaugural street race weekend in San Diego features a 3.4‑mile course on Naval Base Coronado, with the Anduril 250 as the main event. Denny Hamlin arrives on a hot streak, but the challenging course may level the field. Shane van Gisbergen, dominant on road courses, is a key contender. Other notable drivers include Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and Jimmie Johnson, who will race in his hometown. The event includes practice and qualifying sessions leading up to the Sunday race.

Hendrick Motorsports brings a storied road‑course pedigree to its first NASCAR race on a naval base in San Diego, with four of its star drivers poised to shape the action.

The upcoming San Diego Street Course event will feature a blend of series, top drivers and rare appearances, marking a new chapter for NASCAR in the region.

The first NASCAR street race in San Diego will culminate with the Anduril 250 on Sunday, featuring a 16‑turn course that could reshape the championship picture.

Pearce Dietrich’s rankings highlight Shane Van Gisbergen as the top contender for the first NASCAR race on a brand‑new road course, while a mix of seasoned road‑course specialists and newcomers shape the competitive landscape.