NASCAR to Host Historic Race at Naval Base Coronado, Replacing Chicago Street Race

According to an official NASCAR announcement, the Chicago Street Race will be replaced in the upcoming season by a landmark event: a race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, marking the first time a NASCAR Cup Series event will be held on an active military base.

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, confirmed the event is part of a broader celebration of America’s 250th anniversary:

“We are honored for NASCAR to join the celebration as we host our first street race at a military base, Naval Base Coronado.”

Scheduled for June 19–21, 2026, the event will include all three of NASCAR’s national divisions — Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series — underscoring its historic scale and significance.

John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy, also highlighted the symbolic importance of the venue:

“NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit — speed, precision, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation, is not just a historic first, but a powerful tribute to the values we share.”

This event also signifies the return of the NASCAR Cup Series to Southern California, nearly two years after the closure and demolition of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.