NASCAR returning to Southern California with race in San Diego

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 15: View of the Nascar Cup Series logo during the NASCAR Cup Series Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 15, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Luis Cano/Jam Media/Getty Images)
NASCAR will be returning to Southern California with a race in San Diego. Getty Images

A deal “has been reached for NASCAR to return to Southern California next year in San Diego,” and the announcement of the event could “come as soon as next week,” according to Kelly Crandall of RACER. San Diego has been a rumored destination of the sport for the last few months, and last week it was noted that Coronado has “recently floated as the potential destination.” It is unclear where the exact location of next year’s race will be, or where it will fit onto the schedule. NASCAR is still “working through potential returns to Mexico City and Chicago,” with the latter “interested in extending its deal past the three year contract that recently concluded but at a different date on the schedule.” San Diego will fill the void of NASCAR having not run a points race in Southern Californian since 2023. The full 2026 schedule is not expected until the end of the summer or early fall (RACER, 7/17).



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