The NASCAR schedule in 2026 will have a road course race at Naval Base Coronado, with the Cup Series returning to Southern California for the first time in years. However, racing at Coronado might prove to be a one-time thing that fans will need to try and attend next year.
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic said on the latest episode of The Teardown that fans interested in experiencing a NASCAR San Diego race at Coronado should not treat it like a given to return the following year.
"This may be a one-and-done, guys. We asked Ben Kennedy and NASCAR is usually, I'd say vague, is probably the right word, about how long their deals are. He was kinda upfront, "this may just be a one-and-done because we want to go do this and the complications of racing on a base is not easy." So if you're thinking, yeah, I'll go to year two, go to year one."
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There was a lot of excitement around NASCAR following the announcement about next year's race at Coronado. It is not only an opportunity to showcase some of the best drivers to the NASCAR faithful in California, but it is also a rare chance to hold a huge event on a military base.
Cost is also something all parties have to keep in mind. Holding it cost more than $5 million to create the Chicago Street Race, and operating it took significant resources away from the rest of the city. NASCAR also spent $50 million to put on the street races in Chicago.
For next year, a race in San Diego provides NASCAR and its teams with a great opportunity to hold an iconic race while partnering with the United States Navy. It also allows drivers to spend time in one of the best cities to visit in the United States, and there will be plenty of brand opportunities for teams.
All of those benefits make it worth having a race there in 2026, but the costs and other complicating factors could certainly result in NASCAR taking the race elsewhere in future years.
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