What’s Happening?

NASCAR’s first trip to Naval Base Coronado delivered one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season. What began as an ambitious and risky scheduling experiment ended with strong racing, memorable storylines, and widespread praise from fans and media alike. Now that the inaugural event is complete, attention has quickly shifted to a new question: Should San Diego become a permanent fixture on the Cup Series schedule?

• Did the quality of the Cup Series race exceed expectations enough to justify bringing NASCAR back to Naval Base Coronado in 2027?
• How much will television ratings influence whether NASCAR, the military, and broadcast partners pursue a long-term agreement for the event?
• Could San Diego follow the path of successful schedule additions like the Charlotte Roval and COTA, or will it face the same challenges that eventually ended the Clash at the Coliseum?
• Was the combination of the military setting, Prime Video’s presentation, and a first-time winner exactly the type of marquee event NASCAR has been searching for?

The event was not without its challenges, including transportation issues and logistical hurdles throughout the weekend. However, improvements were noticeable as the weekend progressed, and the Cup race itself provided plenty of reasons for optimism. From Corey Heim’s breakthrough victory to strong fan reception and national attention, the debut checked many of the boxes NASCAR hoped to achieve.

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