Jimmie Johnson, a Southern California racing icon, will compete in the inaugural San Diego Street Course in June 2026, bringing the Jimmie Johnson San Diego NASCAR story full circle. The three-day event will feature the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race held on an active U.S. military base at Naval Base Coronado, representing a major step forward for the sport and a deeply personal milestone for Johnson’s decorated career.
NASCAR Schedules Landmark San Diego Street Race on Military Base
The 2026 San Diego Street Course marks a bold new chapter for stock car racing, as the Cup Series heads to a backdrop never before incorporated into its storied schedule. From June 19-21, the Naval Base Coronado will be transformed from an operational military site into a 3.4-mile, 16-turn racing circuit for the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as support races in the Craftsman Truck Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The main event, the Anduril 250, is set for Sunday, June 21, capping a motorsport showcase that aims to engage both dedicated fans and new audiences in the heart of San Diego.
This move into a densely populated urban hub reflects NASCAR’s ongoing strategy to reach fans in major metropolitan areas. It follows the success of the Chicago Street Race, which demonstrated that temporary circuits can be safely executed even in logistical complex city environments. The transformation of Naval Base Coronado stands as a testament to this new era in racing, drawing intense anticipation not only due to the venue’s uniqueness but also because of the local legend involved—Jimmie Johnson.
Jimmie Johnson Describes Meaning of Racing in Hometown Event
For Johnson, this event represents a convergence of personal heritage and professional legacy, offering him a rare homecoming opportunity in a city he has long called home. Sharing his feelings on the occasion, Johnson spoke with deep emotion about returning to his roots and racing at a location so closely tied to his upbringing and family connections. He pointed out the unlikelihood of such a race ever happening in San Diego due to its population density, until recent years shifted what’s possible for the sport.
“With the chance to go back and race at home, first and foremost, I just never thought that NASCAR would be in San Diego. There’s plenty of racing in and around the area, but with how densely populated San Diego is, it just never seemed like there’d be a day.”
– Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
The proliferation of street courses and the sport’s increasing comfort with urban venues made San Diego’s inclusion possible, much to Johnson’s delight and sense of pride. He credited NASCAR’s growing confidence and the model provided by the Chicago Street Race as pivotal for making this event a reality and offering fans, participants, and Johnson himself a new kind of racing spectacle.
“But now that we have street courses and we certainly have the confidence as a sport to take our street racing abroad, here we go. And it’s going to be fun. I’m so excited for it,”
said Johnson, whose enthusiasm underscores the event’s significance within the racing world.
This race is especially poignant for Johnson because of his family’s military background; the event’s setting at Naval Base Coronado provides a profound connection to his relatives and the broader sacrifices associated with service members.
“My grandparents are, there’s a cemetery just above overlooking Long Island. All four of my grandparents are up there and will be watching as well.”
– Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Johnson Secures Ride as Legacy Motor Club Part-Owner
Now a part-owner at Legacy Motor Club, Johnson leveraged his status and experience to personally ensure he would not miss this singular opportunity. He worked strategically to guarantee his seat behind the wheel of the No. 84 Toyota Camry, demonstrating both his ongoing competitive spirit and the event’s importance in his career twilight.
“When I caught wind of the series considering it months ago. I started nudging people behind the scenes at Legacy and certainly at Toyota, making sure that if the opportunity really did come together, that I was going to have a seat there.”
– Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Johnson’s desire to participate extends beyond the Cup Series race. He is actively seeking ways to expand his driving schedule for the weekend, expressing a willingness to consider competing in either the Truck or Xfinity Series events as well as Sunday’s main race.
“If I could figure out a way to be in Friday race or a Saturday race, I would certainly look pretty hard at that as well.”
– Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
A Legacy Reunion and Foundation Milestone
Johnson acknowledged that this return to Southern California comes as his racing schedule becomes more limited, adding an extra layer of poignancy to the occasion. He admitted that the homecoming race is high on his personal ‘bucket list,’ and he hopes to announce a more comprehensive slate of competitive appearances for 2026.
“I’m not sure if I would drop the mic.”
– Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
“I mean, I still have a desire to compete and certainly hope to very soon announce a more broad schedule of events for myself in 26,”
Johnson stated. Describing the weekend’s racing platform, he reiterated his commitment:
“But that kind of opportunity to go home, to race there, and honestly, the opportunity at hand with a truck race, an Xfinity race, and a cup race, first time that we’ve all been there, if I could figure out a way to be in a Friday race or Saturday race, I would certainly look really hard at that as well.”
The June 2026 event will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the charitable organization he established with his wife, Chandra, in 2006. The foundation has donated millions of dollars to K-12 public education and the timing of the race offers special visibility for its achievements and future.
“We have the 20th anniversary for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, literally the month that we’ll be celebrating. So going home will be a massive, I don’t know, just going to be a huge opportunity for myself and our company.”
– Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
This dual milestone elevates the meaning of the San Diego race, intertwining Johnson’s competitive pursuits with his philanthropic mission as the nation and local community turn their eyes to the event.
Johnson Helps NASCAR Bridge Global Borders in Japan
Before returning to the U.S. for the historic San Diego event, Johnson recently led NASCAR’s foray into Japan at the Fuji Speedway, participating in a special demonstration during the Super Taikyu Series finale. Behind the wheel of the Garage 56 Camaro ZL1, a car featured in the 2023 Le Mans effort, Johnson joined fellow competitors Kamui Kobayashi and John Hunter Nemechek in this unique motorsports exchange.
Kamui Kobayashi, recognized for his success at Le Mans and in Formula 1, remarked on the significance of NASCAR’s cross-cultural expansion:
“I think NASCAR is kind of like baseball. It’s something different in the culture of motorsports compared to Japan and Europe, and it’s NASCAR, and as a driver, it’s an American dream.”
– Kamui Kobayashi, Le Mans Winner and Racing Driver
The Japanese event was organized in partnership with Toyota and Legacy Motor Club and spearheaded by Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda through the Super Taikyu Mirai Organization (STMO). STMO highlighted the broader vision of this demonstration, aiming to unify and celebrate both American and Japanese motorsports traditions.
The Super Taikyu Mirai Organization explained its aim:
“introduce the appeal of American-made vehicles… to increase spectators and attract new teams.”
– Super Taikyu Mirai Organization (STMO)
This occasion, featuring NASCAR vehicles on display and tearing down Fuji’s legendary straightaways, represented more than just a spectacle; it emphasized NASCAR’s global ambitions and the sport’s capacity for cultural bridge-building, with Jimmie Johnson as a prominent ambassador.
Looking Ahead to a Historic Weekend in San Diego
The 2026 San Diego Street Course represents a defining moment for motorsports, local fans, and Jimmie Johnson alike. With NASCAR’s willingness to innovate and reach new audiences on display, Johnson’s homecoming is set to be more than a race—it is a celebration of a champion’s journey, a family’s legacy of service, and a foundation’s enduring impact. As June 2026 approaches, anticipation continues to rise for both the spectacle on track and the community moments that will unfold off it, promising a milestone weekend for Johnson, NASCAR, and the city of San Diego.
🛻 "If I could figure out a way to be in Friday race or a Saturday race, I would certainly look pretty hard at that as well."
7️⃣ time Cup Series Champion @JimmieJohnson explains the decision to run the San Diego Street Course in 2026.
More: https://t.co/WGRTG5gnEd pic.twitter.com/z5CK6s0kcV
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 6, 2025
