In 2025, the NASCAR schedule got unique twists. The Cup Series started the season with a bang at the Bowman Gray Stadium. The grassroots short-track racing took the fans’ breath away. Then, in June, the sport took on a Mexican flavor at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Shane van Gisbergen dominated the show. While these events made the 2025 season special, a similar new venture will make the 2026 season special as well. And it may be extra special due to a particular part of the event.

NASCAR is putting its foot down as 2026 approaches. From dropping huge hints about a tweaked playoff format to key executives stepping up their duties, the changes are plenty. But fans’ eyes are bound to be locked on a particular weekend exactly two weeks before the nation’s 250th anniversary.

NASCAR will roll up its sleeves against the Navy

The big racetrack debuting for the 2026 season is in San Diego, at the Naval Base Coronado. All three NASCAR national series will race during the June 19-21 weekend. The Cup Series will mark its first race ever held on an active military base. Established US Navy veterans have already expressed their enthusiasm for the event. “NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit,” said Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan. “It’s an honor to partner with NASCAR at NAS North Island as part of our 250th anniversary celebration,” added Captain Loren Jacobi. However, this excitement for the crossover will reach fever pitch with a unique event.

Journalist Adam Stern updated on X that NASCAR employees will lock horns with US Navy personnel in a special contest. He wrote, “@NASCAR will put on a “Pit Crew vs. Sailor Challenge” with the @USNavy as part of next year’s @NASCARSanDiego event.” What a unique way to showcase the NASCAR-Navy crossover! We might see a follow-up of Noah Gragson getting scolded by a senior Navy official back in June. Moreover, this competition might be titillating for fans to watch.

The other special features of NASCAR’s San Diego visit are plenty. They include hosting a Navy Community Day on June 19th and utilizing the Navy personnel for event presentation support and other dignitary roles. Anduril, a renowned defense products company, will be the presenting sponsor of the San Diego Weekend and the Cup Series street race entitlement partner. Craig Stimmel, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at NASCAR, welcomed Anduril’s entry. “Anduril is an American company that’s pushing boundaries in defense technology…It’s a great match — two high-performance teams coming together with a shared vision for the future, both on and off the track.”

While NASCAR rolls out an exciting blueprint for its San Diego visit, a veteran driver also revealed some heartwarming news.

Going back to his roots

Jimmie Johnson may be driving limited races now. However, the 7-time Cup Series champion could not hide his enthusiasm when NASCAR announced its San Diego plans. Growing up in nearby El Cajon, California, Johnson loved to surf off the beaches of San Diego. While doing so, he could see the massive Naval Base Coronado structure. This emotional attachment to the venue had left Johnson excited for the 2026 event. And in a recent episode of his podcast ‘Never Settle,’ Johnson will likely attempt the Cup Series race in San Diego next year. He competed in nine races in 2024 and just two races in 2025. But Johnson is already preparing for 2026.

The Legacy Motor Club team owner’s enthusiasm was heavily apparent in late July. Jimmie Johnson said, “To enter into the NASCAR space in the way that NASCAR as an industry honors men and women that serve, it’s just been a good collaboration of sorts. I feel fortunate to be in a series that is so focused on it. With all that, it gives me great confidence as we come to San Diego and race on a military base that it will be done top-notch and be correct.” He added, “(I’m) excited to come back for personal and, I guess, professional reasons. I think NASCAR’s pre-race show, their intentionality around honoring men and women who serve or have served, I think they do it better than anybody. I can’t wait for them to shine again.”

Evidently, the anticipation is high for NASCAR’s visit to San Diego. Let’s wait and see how the garage prepares itself for its classic showdown with the US Navy.