NASCAR is interested in bringing a race back to Naval Base Coronado in 2027, though formal discussions will wait until after this weekend’s event, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Daytona Beach-based racing circuit is currently in the Southern California market for the Anduril 250 Race The Base, one of more than 1,000 events tied to the Freedom 250 organization, which is celebrating the country’s milestone anniversary.
While organizers have largely communicated the San Diego event as a one-time occurrence as part of Freedom 250, that isn’t set in stone. People familiar with the talks say NASCAR is open to turning it into a multiyear arrangement — provided the terms are right.
NASCAR COO Ben Kennedy confirmed to reporters this weekend that a second year at Naval Base Coronado is possible. The 2027 schedule hasn’t been released in full, though some dates — like the Daytona 500 — have already been announced.
Related: Ohanian firm buys college trading card company
Two races have already been held this weekend, including a chaotic, lengthy, and enthralling O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday. The main Cup Series event airs today on Prime Video at 4 p.m. ET.
The event is sold out. Social media posts and industry sources pointed to extensive lines throughout the day for merchandise and other items. The base itself is run by the U.S. Navy on the Coronado peninsula, a narrow strip of land just across the bay from downtown San Diego.
Naval Base Coronado is home to several Navy and Marine Corps units, including the Navy’s SEAL teams. Using an active military installation for a major sporting event requires extensive coordination, and this weekend’s logistics were months in the making.
IndyCar is also looking at the potential of turning its upcoming race around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. into a multiyear arrangement. That event, like NASCAR’s San Diego race, was initially pitched as a one-off tied to the Freedom 250 celebrations.
The Freedom 250 organization was created to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. The group has coordinated events across the country, with NASCAR’s Coronado race being one of the most visible.
Related: Paramount Plus downloads surge after UFC White House card
NASCAR’s return to Southern California comes after the circuit left Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, which has been partially demolished for redevelopment. The series has been looking for a permanent or semi-permanent venue in the region, one of the largest media markets in the country.
Coronado’s runway and taxiway layout offered a natural template for a temporary road course, similar to what NASCAR has done at other military bases and airports. The track configuration this weekend uses a mix of the base’s airfield and surrounding roads.
Community reaction has been mixed. Some local residents expressed concern about noise and traffic, but base officials noted that the event was coordinated well in advance and that the economic impact to San Diego County could be significant.
The Cup Series race today will be the first NASCAR national series event held on a military installation since the early 2000s, when the series ran at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (which sits next to Fort Hunter Liggett) and at Infineon Raceway (near Travis Air Force Base). Neither was directly on base property, making this weekend a logistical first.
Related: The Evolution of Generative Engine Optimization and Its Impact on Digital marketing
Kennedy said the organization values the partnership with the Navy and the opportunity to bring racing to service members and their families. He did not provide a timeline for a decision on 2027, but noted that the success of this weekend will factor heavily into the discussions.
One slightly awkward detail: the name “Anduril 250 Race The Base” has a typographical rhythm that doesn’t quite match standard event naming, but it’s stuck. The race is sponsored by Anduril, a defense technology company based in Costa Mesa, California, that has a growing relationship with the Department of Defense.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday was won by Austin Hill, who held off a late charge from Ty Majeski after multiple cautions extended the event past its scheduled distance. Hill’s victory came on a track that tightens into a series of sharp left-right transitions near the northern end of the runway.
For now, NASCAR’s presence in San Diego hinges on the outcome of those post-weekend talks. If the terms work out, the series could be back on Coronado in 2027 — but nothing is final until the schedule is printed.