Is NASCAR planning to introduce a new street course race next season? According to The Athletic, NASCAR is in discussions with the city of San Diego to host races on its city streets. Currently, NASCAR holds only one points race in California, and none in Southern California.
Although no official agreement has been reached yet between NASCAR and San Diego, sources suggest a deal is likely and an announcement is expected next month once the final details are worked out. Both the City Sports Tourism Commission and Sports San Diego have declined to comment on the matter.
NASCAR hasn’t raced in Southern California since the closure of Auto Club Speedway in 2023. While there was a temporary exhibition race at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the series has since been racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway and various short tracks in 2025. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule has yet to be released, and a San Diego race could be one of several new events. The Chicago Street Course Race, now in its third year for 2025, does not have a confirmed long-term contract beyond this season, hindered by issues like the rain-delayed race weekend in 2023.
Following NASCAR’s departure from Chicagoland Speedway in 2020, the Chicago Street Course was introduced. Unlike the demolished Auto Club Speedway, the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway remains intact.
If San Diego is added to the 2026 schedule, it may replace an existing road race since only five out of 36 races in 2025 are road or street courses. NASCAR could expand to a sixth road race, but the balance between traditional oval tracks and road courses is a factor to consider.
Most recently, the Mexico City race marked the fifth road course event of the season, where Shane Van Gisbergen celebrated his first Cup Series win. However, NASCAR has not yet finalized its contract for the 2026 race calendar.
Fan Take: Bringing a street course race to San Diego could energize NASCAR’s presence in Southern California and attract new fans who enjoy urban racing atmospheres. This addition signals NASCAR’s willingness to diversify race formats and locations, potentially shaping the future identity of the sport.
