Full Breakdown
NASCAR Cup Debuts at San Diego Naval Base with Dual Red Bull Liveries and Owner-Driver Return
6/13/2026, 12:02:42 AM
Inaugural Cup Race at Naval Base Coronado
NASCAR will stage its first Cup race on a Naval base on June 20, 2026, on a 3.4-mile street circuit at Naval Base Coronado, San Diego, marking the first Cup race on a military base.
Drivers, Teams, and Sponsorship
Trackhouse Racing will field Shane van Gisbergen in a silver No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and rookie Connor Zilisch in a blue No. 88 Camaro, both with Red Bull liveries. Van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, has won six of the last seven road/street races and is in the Chase. Zilisch’s best finish this season is 14th. Owner-driver Justin Marks will return in the Navy 250 Truck Series on June 19, driving Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado sponsored by Jockey.
Fan Activities and Ticket Info
Cup tickets have sold out, leaving only seats. The San Diego Automotive Museum will host a NASCAR Design and Innovation Display (admission $15-$19.50, free for active-duty military families). The Cars + Coffee event at Elite Finish in Sorrento Mesa will showcase 500 cars, food trucks and race simulators, with free registration.
Why It Matters
The Naval base race showcases NASCAR’s outreach to service members and willingness to use non-traditional venues. Dual Red Bull liveries revive branding, while Marks’ return highlights driver development and veteran involvement. Museum and Cars + Coffee events extend community engagement.
Official Statements & Responses
Trackhouse announced the dual Red Bull paint schemes, noting van Gisbergen’s Chase standing and Zilisch’s rookie goals. Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony said the team supports Marks and Jockey’s military tribute. Museum curator Jacqueline Goldstein said the exhibit showcases NASCAR technology and future direction. Elite Finish’s Brittany Lodge called the Cars + Coffee event a community gathering.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What we're showing visitors here is not the history of NASCAR but what NASCAR is now, where they're going with technology and design, aerodynamics, how everything is constantly changing with NASCAR,” — Jacqueline Goldstein, Curator, San Diego Automotive Museum
- “It’s a unique opportunity to drive in the inaugural Truck Series race at San Diego Naval Base,” — Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing Owner
- “I think it really shows the importance of qualifying, getting up front, making no mistakes, and you can stay out there all day.” — Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Driver
- “This is a way for people and the community to get together, come check out some cool cars. There might be some specific cars that are tied into the NASCAR racing scene that will be here on display. We'll also have race simulators so that anyone that wants to get a feel for what it's like to race on the track they can do that in simulation,” — Brittany Lodge, Marketing and Events Manager, Elite Finish
What’s Next
The Navy 250 Truck Series race opens the weekend on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Cup Series event on Saturday, June 20. The museum’s NASCAR exhibit runs through Labor Day, and the Cars + Coffee event takes place on June 20 at 11 a.m.
