Chase Briscoe, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, recently provided an inside look at NASCAR’s innovative San Diego street course during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He revealed important features of the Naval Base Coronado layout, emphasizing its expansive design that will open new possibilities for racing.
The course, spanning more than three miles, utilizes large military runways to create a rare and extremely wide setting. This layout is expected to deliver intense, high-speed competition when NASCAR races visit the active base in June 2026, poised to offer a very different experience from traditional street circuits.
Wide Runways and Multiple Racing Lines Set to Define the Track
Briscoe expressed enthusiasm about the layout after examining the track plans. He highlighted the track’s exceptional width, which allows for several racing lines, a feature rarely seen in street racing.
I know they showed the picture in the video, and as far as I understand, that’s the plan, to use that racetrack. … Just driving around the base, the runway part of it’s obviously going to be extremely wide,
Briscoe explained.
The vast tarmac extends opportunities for drivers to race side-by-side and engage in overtaking maneuvers. According to Briscoe, the track includes
a lot of long straightaways with braking zones.
These elements are critical for road courses because they enhance passing chances and strategic racing.
Briscoe also noted the size of the circuit, measuring over three miles in length, which he compared to Road America, a well-known large racetrack.
The other big takeaway is just how big it is. It’s over three miles long, so it’s almost like a Road America-sized racetrack,
he added. This vast footprint lets NASCAR combine newly designed track sections with the existing roads on the base.
A Blend of Road Course and Street Circuit Characteristics
Briscoe clarified that while the event is officially labeled a street course, the track will mainly function as a road course because it will incorporate runways and other hardened surfaces with high-speed potential. He said,
It’s just gonna be a really well put-together road course. We’re gonna call it a street course, obviously, but for the most part, it is gonna be a road course because you’re gonna be on runway and stuff like that.
This description aligns with earlier comments from NASCAR executive Ben Kennedy, who mentioned that designers planned to include
hairpins or chicanes or S-turns, long straightaways
across the tarmac areas. This mix will test driver skill and offer varied racing challenges.
San Diego’s Runway Width Solves Common Passing Challenges
One of the biggest obstacles in street racing has long been limited overtaking opportunities due to narrow track widths. The San Diego layout addresses this by using the broad runways of the naval base to give ample room for multiple cars to race side-by-side, particularly through corners. Briscoe praised the track’s potential, saying,
There are obviously things that can change with a street course and all these things. I think it’s gonna race really well,
reflecting his confidence that this course will deliver superior racing compared to tighter temporary circuits like Chicago’s downtown layout.
Unique Military Venue Offers Striking Visuals and Challenges
Beyond just racing dynamics, the Naval Base Coronado setting provides an extraordinary backdrop that enhances the event’s appeal. The promotional video showcasing NASCAR cars racing beside F-18 fighter jets and aircraft carriers is an accurate representation of what drivers will experience. Briscoe remarked,
It’s gonna be really fun to get out there and just be a part of the base and see all the scenery that’s there,
highlighting how immersive and distinct the environment will be.
The length and complexity of the track introduce new physical and mental demands for drivers. The combination of long straights and technical corners will challenge their endurance and precision. The promotional clips where drivers shout Need for speed! now resonate with the track’s design focus on velocity and skill.
Future of NASCAR Street Circuits and What to Expect
As NASCAR refines the layout through digital simulations on platforms like iRacing, the Coronado course marks a deliberate evolution toward more engaging and raceable street circuits. By merging the precision of military infrastructure with dynamic race design, the track promises an experience
unlike anything they’ve had in the past around the base.
The expanded width and length are game-changers, offering drivers like Briscoe new opportunities for thrilling competition and strategic battles.