Navy
GalleryThis weekend, NASCAR races through Naval Base Coronado
Stars and Stripes
June 20, 2026
Drivers compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Navy 250 on Naval Base Coronado during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on June 19, 2026. (Joseph M. Buliavac/U.S. Navy)
NASCAR takes over Naval Base Coronado in California this weekend in a first-of-its-kind event.
NASCAR’s presence, designed to be part of the Navy and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, creates an intersection of military heritage, innovation and American culture. There will be three races the Craftsman Truck Series, the United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) and the Anduril 250 (NASCAR Cup Series).
It’s the first time in NASCAR history it has raced on active military base. Amazon Prime Video will broadcast the race from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
The course, Qualcomm Circuit, is a 16-turn, 3.4-mile track built directly on the base. It is a highly technical, cinematic course featuring a backdrop of an aircraft carrier and fighter jets.
“Hosting a NASCAR race of this magnitude on Naval Base Coronado is unprecedented,” Capt. Loren “Wookie” Jacobi, commanding officer of Naval Base Coronado, said in a service news release. “It allows us to share the Navy’s 250-year legacy of warfighting excellence with NASCAR fans and the American public. This weekend is about honoring our heritage, but it’s also a chance to showcase the incredible dedication, precision, and skill of the Sailors who operate in high-stakes environments here, and all around the world, every single day.”
Among the competitors will be newly promoted Navy Reserve officer and professional driver Cmdr. Jesse Iwuji, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and one of NASCAR’s most recognizable military ambassadors.
Cory Heim, who partnered with the Navy’s Undersea Rescue Command, won Sunday’s race, earning his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in his 13th start.
Naval Base Coronado, near San Diego, is home to a diverse collection of Navy missions, including aviation, special warfare, expeditionary forces and fleet support operations.
USS Carl Vinson and the Qualcomm Circuit during a flyover of NASCAR San Diego Weekend, on Naval Base Coronado, on June 19, 2026. (Matt Hall/U.S. Navy)
A NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts series vehicle races during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on Naval Base Coronado on June 20, 2026. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)
Sailors assigned to Carrier Strike Group 15 participate in a tour hosted by NASCAR driver Kyle Larson on Naval Base Coronado on June 20, 2026. (Aaron Sandoval-Mendoza/U.S. Navy)
NASCAR driver Layne Riggs celebrates victory alongside service members after winning the Navy 250, part of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, on the first day of the NASCAR San Diego Weekend aboard Naval Base Coronado on June 19, 2026. (Edward Martisius/U.S. Navy)
NASCAR driver Ty Dillon interacts with sailors in the hangar bay during a tour aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on June 19, 2026. (Kirsten Robbins/U.S. Navy)
Teams participate in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on June 19, 2026. (Pablo Chavez/U.S. Navy)
Sailors assigned to aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and family members observe the national anthem on the flight deck during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Naval Base Coronado on June 19, 2026. (Kenneth Ostas/U.S. Navy)
Members of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 50 conduct a CMV-22B Osprey flyover during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Naval Base Coronado as sailors watch from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on June 19, 2026. (Kenneth Ostas/U.S. Navy)
Members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the “Leap Frogs,” perform during the opening ceremony of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Navy 250 race onboard Naval Base Coronado on June 19, 2026. (Kenneth Ostas/U.S. Navy)
Teams participate in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on June 19, 2026. (Pablo Chavez/U.S. Navy)
Justin Haley competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Navy 250 race onboard Naval Base Coronado on June 19, 2026. (Kenneth Ostas/U.S. Navy)
NASCAR driver Ty Dillon meets with sailors assigned to aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the hangar bay, moored at Naval Air Station North Island, on June 19, 2026. (Brianna Walker/U.S. Navy)
Drivers compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Navy 250 on Naval Base Coronado during NASCAR San Diego Weekend, on June 19, 2026. (Wade Costin/U.S. Navy)
Command Master Chief Jose Pena, left, meets with NASCAR driver Ty Dillon on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on June 19, 2026, moored at Naval Air Station North Island. (Brianna Walker/U.S. Navy)
Two CMV-22B Osprey tiltroter aircraft, assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50, fly over San Diego Bay after conducting a flyover of NASCAR San Diego Weekend, on Naval Base Coronado, on June 19, 2026. (Matt Hall/U.S. Navy)
The Qualcomm Circuit during a flyover of NASCAR San Diego Weekend, on Naval Base Coronado, on June 19, 2026. (Matt Hall/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Victoria Rodriguez, left, and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Taylor pose for a photo with a NASCAR vehicle on the track during NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril, on Naval Base Coronado, Calif., on June 18, 2026. (Michelle Tucker/U.S. Navy)
NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick signs a fan’s toy car at an autograph event h at the commissary during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on Naval Base Coronado on June 19, 2026. (Victoria Rodriguez/U.S. Navy)
NASCAR driver Corey Heim celebrates winning the NASCAR Cup Series: Anduril 250 Race the Base during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026. (Joey Sitter/U.S. Navy)