NASCAR’s always had a knack for weaving patriotism into its fabric, especially when Memorial Day rolls around. Since the early 2010s, the NASCAR: An American Salute campaign turned races into heartfelt tributes, swapping driver names on windshields for those of fallen service members and welcoming Gold Star families to the track. The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte became the centerpiece, dubbed the “600 Miles of Remembrance,” blending high-octane racing with a nod to sacrifice. Fans loved the gesture, a moment to pause amid the roar of engines and honor those who served.

By 2022, that evolved into NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola, a broader push that didn’t just stop at symbolism. It brought military families to races, set up interactive displays like the Wall of Honor, and amplified service members’ stories through social media and trackside events. It was Americana at its finest, NASCAR’s way of saying “thank you” while keeping the stands packed and the vibe electric. The sport’s deep ties to the military felt like a natural fit, resonating with its heartland fanbase.

But NASCAR’s commitment goes beyond race-day gestures. Through the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program, the sport employs transitioning service members in development roles, giving veterans a real shot at civilian careers. The IMPACT platform takes it further, partnering with groups like Sound Off for mental health support and American Corporate Partners for career mentorship. These aren’t just PR moves, they’re tangible ways NASCAR steps up for those who’ve served.

Teams get in on the action too. Joe Gibbs Racing, paired with Interstate Batteries, has backed Semper Fi & America’s Fund, slapping their logo on Christopher Bell’s No. 20 during the Coca-Cola 600 to spotlight millions in adaptive vehicle grants for wounded veterans. It’s the kind of thing that makes fans proud, seeing their sport give back in ways that hit home.

Now, NASCAR’s taking its military connection to a whole new level with a bombshell announcement: a full race weekend at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, set for June 19–21, 2026. It’s a historic first, with all three national series, Truck, Xfinity, and Cup, racing on an active U.S. military base. The Cup event, called the Anduril 250 – Race the Base, celebrates the Navy’s 250th anniversary and marks only the second-ever Cup Series street race, following Chicago’s street course.

The track’s still a mystery, but whispers suggest it’ll snake through base streets, maybe even past carrier deck jets or across tarmacs. Anduril Industries, a defense tech giant valued at over $30 billion, is the presenting sponsor and NASCAR’s Official Defense Partner. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s venue innovation guru, called it “the most anticipated event of 2026,” blending the sport’s adrenaline with military pride. Navy Secretary John C. Phelan echoed that, tying the race to shared values like grit and teamwork, hosted at Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation.

It’s a bold move, bringing NASCAR back to Southern California for the first time since the 2024 Clash at the L.A. Coliseum, replacing Chicago on the 2026 schedule. But not everyone’s cheering. Fans have taken to social media, especially Reddit, to vent their frustration, poking fun at the Anduril sponsorship and what they see as a step too far into militarized branding.

Fan outrage over Anduril’s role

The announcement of the Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado hit Reddit like a spark in a powder keg. Fans didn’t hold back, unleashing a mix of sarcasm and unease about NASCAR’s new $30 billion defense tech sponsor. One user quipped, “Soon we’ll hear about the Xfinity race being sponsored by Lockheed Martin.” It’s a biting jab, riffing on Anduril’s role as a defense contractor and the Navy’s 250th anniversary tie-in. The comment’s not a serious prediction but a satirical nod to fears that more military-industrial sponsors could flood NASCAR’s naming conventions, shifting the sport’s vibe from grassroots to corporate.

Another fan piled on with, “I can’t wait for the Raytheon 500 personally.” The made-up “Raytheon 500” takes the sarcasm up a notch, imagining a future where defense giants dominate race titles. It’s playful exaggeration, but it underscores a real concern: fans worry NASCAR’s leaning too hard into militarized branding, especially after years of cherished tributes like the “600 Miles of Remembrance” that felt more heartfelt than corporate. The Anduril 250, tied to a high-tech defense firm, feels like a departure from the sport’s traditional salute to service members.

The humor kept rolling with, “Carson Hocevar in the knife missile car.” This one’s a clever dig, tying Hocevar’s aggressive driving, fresh off his bird-flipping incident at Berlin Raceway, to Anduril’s defense tech image. It’s pure fan creativity, not a literal armed car, but a way to poke fun at how a driver known for scrappy moves might fit a militarized sponsor. Then there’s, “Now imagining an alternative timeline… Mark ‘Lockheed’ Martin… Noah ‘Northrop Grumman’ Gragson… Boris ‘Boeing’ Said.” This fan’s defense contractor fantasy lane swaps driver names for corporate puns, capturing the absurdity some feel about the sport’s direction. It’s meme-level commentary, but it hits the mark on fan unease.

Finally, one user tossed in a nerdy twist, “Is Aragorn going to give the command?” The Lord of the Rings pun plays off Anduril’s name and the military “command” vibe of a naval base race. It’s lighthearted but sharp, questioning the overly militaristic feel of the event. These reactions show fans using humor to process NASCAR’s bold step, a race on an active military base, backed by a $30 billion defense firm. While the sport’s military tributes have long been a point of pride, the Anduril 250’s corporate-military fusion has some fans wondering if NASCAR’s losing its soul in pursuit of a flashy new venue.