NASCAR set to begin work on brand new track next month

NASCAR is gearing up to start building its newest track next month.

The sport will hold its first ever race on an active military base this summer, with Coronado Naval Base in San Diego set to play host to the Anduril 250 in June.

The event has been timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy this summer, in much the same way that IndyCar will be racing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC to mark the United States Semiquincentennial this summer.

Work will begin on the site on May 25, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune, with formal groundbreaking scheduled for the May 26.

NASCAR set for race against time to construct Coronado track

That, of course, leaves less than a month to get the full course set up and ready to race before the Truck Series kicks things off on June 19, but NASCAR isn't concerned about the tight turnaround. In fact, it's all part of the plan.

“The construction will happen in phases,” said Matt Humphrey, NASCAR’s senior director of track communications. “The schedule looks tight, but it follows the same planning we used for construction of the temporary street course we used in Chicago. Most important, everything is on schedule.”

The final track layout still hasn't been confirmed, and won't be until NASCAR personnel figure out the exact corner angles.

“Track construction will not interfere with the daily operations of one of the nation’s premier military facilities,” Humphrey insisted. “NASCAR and the Navy are partners in this event. We’re coming to Coronado to celebrate the nation’s and the Navy’s 250th anniversary.”

Of course, making even a street circuit requires more than just throwing some barriers up in the shape of a track and calling it a day. There will need to be garage and pit areas, grandstands for fans, as well as a media center and the like.

This is in no way a small job – but the experience of setting up shop in Chicago for the last three years should prove helpful in pulling it off.

Remaining 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

Date	Race	Track	Time (ET)	TV
April 19	AdventHealth 400	Kansas Speedway	2pm	FOX
April 26	Jack Link's 500	Talladega Superspeedway	3pm	FOX
May 3	Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY	Texas Motor Speedway	3.30pm	FS1
May 10	Go Bowling At The Glen	Watkins Glen International	3pm	FS1
May 17	NASCAR All-Star Race	Dover Motor Speedway	3pm	FS1
May 24	Coca-Cola 600	Charlotte Motor Speedway	6pm	Prime
May 31	Cracker Barrel 400	Nashville Superspeedway	7pm	Prime
June 7	FireKeepers Casino 400	Michigan International Speedway	3pm	Prime
June 14	NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono	Pocono Raceway	3pm	Prime
June 21	Anduril 250	San Diego Street Race	4pm	Prime
June 28	Toyota/Save Mart 350	Sonoma Raceway	3.30pm	TNT Sports
July 5	NASCAR Cup Series Race at Chicagoland	Chicagoland Speedway	6pm	TNT Sports
July 12	Quaker State 400 Available At Walmart	Echopark Speedway	7pm	TNT Sports
July 19	Window World 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway	7pm	TNT Sports
July 26	Brickyard 400	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	2pm	TNT Sports
August 9	Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol	Iowa Speedway	3.30pm	USA
August 15	Cook Out 400	Richmond Raceway	7pm	USA
August 23	NASCAR Cup Series Race at New Hampshire	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	3pm	USA
August 29	Coke Zero Sugar 400	Daytona International Speedway	7.30pm	NBC
September 6	Cook Out Southern 500	Darlington Raceway	5pm	USA
September 13	Enjoy Illinois 300	World Wide Technology Raceway	3pm	USA
September 19	Bass Pro Shops Night Race	Bristol Motor Speedway	7.30pm	USA
September 27	Hollywood Casino 400	Kansas Speedway	3pm	USA
October 4	South Point 400	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	5.30pm	USA
October 11	Bank of America 400	Charlotte Motor Speedway	3pm	USA
October 18	Freeway Insurance 500	Phoenix Raceway	3pm	USA
October 25	Yellawood 500	Talladega Superspeedway	2pm	NBC
November 1	Xfinity 500	Martinsville Speedway	2pm	NBC
November 8	NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race	Homestead-Miami Speedway	3pm	NBC