NASCAR has officially scheduled a return to Naval Base Coronado in 2027, marking the second consecutive year the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will compete at the Southern California venue. The 2027 event is set for August 1 and will serve as the championship round for the In-Season Challenge, a five-race tournament featuring 32 drivers vying for a $1 million prize.
Beyond the Coronado engagement, the racing organization is expanding its footprint at military facilities. Chief Operating Officer Ben Kennedy noted that plans for this broader initiative were solidified following discussions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during this year’s inaugural race weekend. According to Kennedy, Hegseth’s positive reception of the event helped initiate talks regarding a long-term partnership with the military.
“He obviously loved the event, enjoyed the event and that helped spur conversations around what the future relationship might look like with them,” Kennedy said. “So we agreed in 2028 we’re going to go to another military installation as a part of a long-term plan as we think about rotating these.” While specific locations for 2028 remain undecided, NASCAR is currently evaluating priority markets and iconic military sites where the sport currently lacks a significant presence.
The upcoming schedule adjustments also include a change for the Craftsman Truck Series, which will not return to Coronado. Instead, the series will move to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Clarington, Ontario, this September. These updates follow the success of the inaugural Anduril 250 at Coronado on June 21, where Corey Heim secured his first career Cup victory. The report also notes that additionally, NASCAR announced plans to hold more races at military sites beginning in 2028.
