
NASCAR Brings Cup Series to San Diego in 2026
The 2026 Andruil 250 will mark the first Cup Series race in San Diego, featuring a unique group‑based qualifying format that will set the starting grid.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Denny Hamlin across Nascar.

The 2026 Andruil 250 will mark the first Cup Series race in San Diego, featuring a unique group‑based qualifying format that will set the starting grid.
Drivers took to the 3.4‑mile temporary circuit on June 19, with Larson leading the way ahead of a two‑group qualifying format that will determine the race grid. The event will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with additional streaming on NASCAR.com and SiriusXM.

Analyst Robert Criscola breaks down the odds for the debut Anduril 250, highlighting Ty Gibbs as a value pick to win, Michael McDowell’s Top 5 prospects and Kyle Larson’s edge over Connor Zilisch, while previewing the track’s demands and ideal weather conditions.

Qualifying for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series returns to San Diego this weekend, featuring a star‑studded field and live coverage on Prime Video and radio networks.

As the Cup Series rolls into San Diego, Denny Hamlin's recent dominance is expected to falter on the challenging Coronado Street Course, where Shane Van Gisbergen is the heavy favorite and newcomer Kevin Magnussen makes his debut.

NASCAR will race on Naval Base Coronado, a historic first on an active military base, featuring a 3.4‑mile circuit that challenges drivers and attracts 40,000 spectators.
Shane van Gisbergen opens as the heavy favorite for the first NASCAR race on a street course at the Coronado Naval Base, where no driver has prior experience.

Drivers grapple with marbled surfaces and swift tire degradation, setting the stage for a strategically complex race.

The 2026 Cup Series will feature the Anduril 250 on June 21 at Coronado, with Kyle Larson topping practice, Chris Buescher extending his contract, and Tyler Reddick leading the points battle.

Tyler Reddick, the NASCAR Cup Series points leader, is adjusting his approach after Denny Hamlin’s three‑race winning streak narrowed the gap to 19 points, setting the stage for a competitive finish at the upcoming Naval Base Coronado event.
With seven Cup Series road‑course wins, a debut victory at Chicago and a field that includes Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and a returning Jimmie Johnson, Shane van Gisbergen is the clear favorite for the inaugural Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado.

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

Practice sessions at Naval Base Coronado revealed startling lap times, tire woes and injury concerns, setting the stage for a potentially chaotic Cup Series race.

A high‑speed shakedown on Naval Base Coronado saw Kyle Larson set the fastest lap, with a full field of 39 drivers turning early laps that promise a competitive showdown.

The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race on a 3.4‑mile street circuit in San Diego promises a unique test of skill and strategy, with fantasy favorites emerging.

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.

With recent top‑10 finishes and a string of strong performances on road and street circuits, three drivers are being tipped to surprise at the upcoming Anduril 250, making the race one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

NASCAR is spotlighting the Anduril 250 Race the Base in San Diego through a short film on Amazon Prime, featuring six drivers, a Navy partnership and a host of sponsors.

With a lineup packed with road‑course specialists, the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Naval Base Coronado promises a battle of skill and strategy. Here’s who’s hot, who’s not, and the sleeper candidates to watch.

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.

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.

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.