NASCAR will debut the Anduril 250 on a 3.4‑mile temporary street circuit inside Naval Base Coronado, marking the first Cup Series event on an active military installation.
Track Blueprint
Qualcomm Circuit, measuring 3.4 miles (5.472 km), features 19 turns, a new chicane preceding the final corner, and lap times expected between 2 min 10 s and 2 min 15 s.
The layout includes rough sectors, hidden blind spots, a crossing over active railroad tracks, and a segment that veers just feet from San Diego Bay. Width variation turns sections from sweeping S‑curves into single‑file bottlenecks.
Team operatives anticipate a record demand for spotters and corner workers—over three dozen—due to the circuit’s intricacy.
Event Calendar
Friday, June 19 – Truck practice • Truck qualifying • Cup practice • Craftsman Truck race (Prime Video)
Saturday, June 20 – O’Reilly opening practices, qualifications, and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race (CW App).
Sunday, June 21 – Cup Series race at 4 pm EST (Prime Video).
Key Participants
Kevin Magnussen will make his Cup debut for Project 91, joining Helio Castroneves, Kimi Raikkonen, and Shane van Gisbergen. The ex‑F1 defender had not yet raced in NASCAR, creating a fresh challenge.
California native Jimmie Johnson will compete in two divisions, joining the LMC Cup entry on Sunday and Tricon Garage’s Truck program on Friday. He has hinted that the 2027 Daytona 500 may be his final Cup start.
Shane van Gisbergen remains the street‑course focal point, having claimed six of the last seven such events. Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin are positioned to contest the standing battle, while Christopher Bell battles a fractured left wrist.
Strategic Challenges
Drivers face a “survival race” scenario, with bumps that can damage tires and rear diffusers, alongside blind corners requiring heightened precision. The track’s diversity—speed, length, and complexity—can produce unpredictable outcomes.
Spotters will need to maintain extra vigilance because of the course’s varied width and the presence of railroad crossing and bay‑side proximity.
Broadcast & Access
The Cup event launches Prime Video’s five‑week season run, after which TNT will take over for the remainder of the summer. Fans will have limited public seating, prioritized for military families on Friday, with a few opening seats for the general public.
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