Over 100,000 fans entered the gates of Naval Air Station North Island over Father’s Day weekend to attend the first-ever NASCAR racing event on an active military base.
The 3.4-mile “Qualcomm Circuit” weaved through the base where sailors typically operate, providing 16 turns for drivers to navigate. One notable corner passed the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The USS Cincinnati, an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, could also be seen along the course.
The three-day event blended motorsports with military tradition in a distinctly American spectacle, marking the Navy’s 250th anniversary.
June 19
Day one was dubbed “Navy Community Day” since it was open only to members of the Navy and a limited number of Coronado residents.
The intermittent roar of stock car engines and smell of burnt tires announced the start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race, which Layne Riggs took first place in.
In a fitting nod to community day, Coronado’s own – Austin Varco – made his national series debut on the longest track NASCAR has ever constructed. The 26-year-old, who graduated from Coronado High School, has been racing since he was four. He finished 17th in the race on June 19.
June 20
Qualifying races began early in the day on June 20, and as drivers walked to the track, fans clamored at the fence to catch a glimpse of their favorites: Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliot, the list goes on. One-by-one, crews whistled to clear a path through the crowds. Nearby, a NASCAR enthusiast gave the rundown of each driver to his young son, rattling off facts and stats.
The qualifying race was in preparation for the Cup Series on Sunday, the weekend’s main event. Attendees prepared accordingly by lining up Saturday in front of dozens of concession trucks – each one plastered with photos of NASCAR drivers – to buy paraphernalia as engines revved in the distance.
As the afternoon went on, fans made their way to seats for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Race, concession food and drinks in hand.
Austin Hill took first place, marking the first win for the RCR team since unexpectedly losing its NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch four weeks prior. Busch passed away unexpectedly due to pneumonia. Hill said he found himself talking to Busch on the straightaways. “I was like ‘Man, Kyle, if you’re here, give me something, let me find another gear,’” he said.
A notable red flag period came from a 23-car incident after Sam Mayer nicked the inside wall, lurched to the other wall, and started a chain reaction, eliminating many of the strongest cars.
A second red flag period sparked a delay after a sewer vent cover impaled the nose of Corey Day’s car. Crews spent an hour repairing the vent.
June 21
With the street course up and running again, crowds flocked to the Naval base again for the final day. An aerial view of the Coronado Bridge in the morning would reveal a thick line of cars heading to Naval Air Station North Island’s entry gates.
Pre-race events again showed the seemingly seamless collaboration between NASCAR and the U.S. Navy. As Naval aircrafts streaked across the sky, spectators pledged allegiance to the flag, and a sailor led attendees in a prayer. The Navy Leap Frogs parachuted onto the track (as they had the two days prior) with a massive American flag billowing behind them. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth waved the green flag to kick off the Cup Series race.
The entire weekend culminated in Corey Heim’s decisive victory, where he made the winning pass after Reddick slipped in in the 73rd lap, allowing an opening for 23-year-old Heim.
His reaction to winning his first-ever Cup Series race was summed up in a statement:
“I’m speechless,” he said.
“We get to hold on to those memories forever,” Coronado resident Maria Sauter said of the event. “People get to take those memories with them. That’s what’s most important.”
