NASCAR may be planning a big change for 2026. A new event is being discussed, and it would mark another shift in how NASCAR builds its schedule. This possible addition would bring a fresh type of challenge to the NASCAR Cup Series, with a layout unlike most tracks on the calendar. Reports suggest that talks are already happening. While nothing is official yet, the move could affect other major events—and change what the 2026 season looks like.
Key Highlights
NASCAR is reportedly finalizing a street course race in San Diego for the 2026 Cup Series schedule.
Coronado, across the bay from San Diego, is a leading candidate for the course layout.
Chicago’s street race could be replaced or run in tandem with the San Diego event.
This would bring the Cup Series to seven road/street courses in 2026.
NASCAR continues balancing tradition and innovation with recent bold schedule changes.
San Diego’s Street Course: A New Era Begins
Reports from both RACER and The Athletic indicate that NASCAR and the city of San Diego are close to finalizing a deal that would bring a Cup Series race to the region in 2026. For the first time ever, the sport would make a competitive stop in San Diego—a city long rumored as a destination for expansion due to its climate, coastline, and demographic appeal.
The proposed street course is expected to be laid out in Coronado, a popular resort town located just across the bay from downtown San Diego. Known for its Pacific views, historic charm, and military presence, Coronado offers a unique blend of accessibility and visual appeal for fans both onsite and watching on television.
The move mirrors NASCAR’s recent efforts to reach new fans through unconventional venues. After a three-year run on the streets of Chicago, the idea of racing through city layouts—once unthinkable in NASCAR’s modern era—has gained mainstream traction. With San Diego in play, it signals a continued push toward major metropolitan visibility.
Street Racing’s Growing Footprint
NASCAR’s first foray into street racing came in 2023 with the Chicago Street Race. Despite early skepticism, the event was a milestone, showcasing that stock cars could navigate tight city circuits and still provide compelling racing. Since then, the conversation has shifted from “if” to “where next?”
Chicago’s future on the calendar remains in question. The original agreement ran through 2024, but warming city relations and increasing fan interest may lead to an extension—though potentially not during the July 4th holiday. If both Chicago and San Diego are included, 2026 would feature two street course events, potentially bringing the total number of road/street courses on the Cup schedule to seven.
Such an expansion would undoubtedly trigger debate among traditional fans. Some already argue that seven non-oval races is too many for a sport long centered on high-speed oval tracks. Yet NASCAR’s willingness to experiment has also been met with praise for reinvigorating the schedule and generating buzz in major markets.
Southern California’s Strategic Return
NASCAR has been seeking a way back into Southern California ever since the closure of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana in 2023. Originally slated for a transformation into a short track, the project was indefinitely shelved. That created a gap in one of the nation’s most valuable markets—a gap San Diego now appears poised to fill.
Unlike Fontana, which offered a traditional two-mile oval, San Diego’s concept offers something new. The allure of waterfront racing, cityscape visuals, and expanded market reach makes the city an appealing target for NASCAR leadership. For a sport trying to remain relevant to younger and more diverse audiences, San Diego is a calculated opportunity.
Balancing Innovation With Tradition
NASCAR’s changing landscape has not forgotten its roots. While San Diego, Chicago, and Mexico City signal the league’s commitment to global and urban exposure, NASCAR has also shown a renewed investment in its traditional fan base.
Tracks like North Wilkesboro, Bowman Gray Stadium, and Rockingham have returned to the calendar in recent years—many with overwhelming fan support. North Wilkesboro in particular provided one of the best short track experiences of the Next Gen era, showing that nostalgia and quality racing can go hand in hand.
Ben Kennedy, often seen as the architect of NASCAR’s modern scheduling, has made it clear that innovation does not mean erasure. Instead, the focus is on balance: pairing throwback events with bold experimentation. Whether it’s the LA Coliseum or a potential San Diego street race, each event is part of a wider strategy to make NASCAR both competitive and culturally current.
Still, choices will need to be made. A 36-race schedule leaves limited flexibility, meaning one venue must go if San Diego is to join. Chicago could be dropped, although an option remains for 2026. Another possibility is removing a less successful or underperforming oval date.
News in Brief: NASCAR Adding San Diego in 2026
NASCAR is close to finalizing a deal for a street course race in San Diego for the 2026 Cup Series. The likely location is Coronado, offering dramatic oceanfront visuals. This would mark the first time NASCAR hosts a Cup race in San Diego and possibly bring the street course count to two if Chicago also returns. The move fills the void left by Fontana’s closure and continues NASCAR’s balance of honoring its roots while appealing to new fans. Schedule decisions are expected soon.
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