NASCAR working to host street-course race in San Diego: Report
NASCAR is entering its third season racing at the Chicago street course. (Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Could NASCAR have a new street-course race next season?
According to The Athletic, the sanctioning body is working with San Diego to host a race on the streets of the city. NASCAR currently has just one points race in the state of California and no races in Southern California.
NASCAR and the city of San Diego have not yet agreed on a deal, but discussions are ongoing, and it is expected that an agreement will be reached, according to those sources. An announcement is tentatively slated for next month, pending a finalized deal.
NASCAR and Sports San Diego, the city's sports tourism commission, declined comment.
Advertisement
NASCAR hasn't raced in Southern California since Auto Club Speedway closed in 2023. The exhibition Clash was briefly held at the Los Angeles Coliseum, but it was at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2025 and appears to be in line to rotate among other short tracks.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule has not been announced and a race in San Diego could be one of many different pieces on the schedule. The Chicago street-course race is entering its third year in 2025, but there is no long-term agreement beyond this season to keep NASCAR racing in Chicago. The first Chicago race weekend in 2023 was plagued by rain.
The Chicago street-course race was added after NASCAR stopped racing at Chicagoland Speedway in 2020. Unlike Auto Club Speedway, the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway has not been torn down.
Advertisement
If San Diego is added to the schedule in 2026, would it take the place of an existing road-course race? Simple math reasons that it would. Among the 36 races on the 2025 Cup Series schedule, five are being held on road and street courses. While it's not impossible NASCAR would go to a sixth road-course race, it also may create too much of an imbalance between traditional oval racing and road-course racing.
Last week's race in Mexico City became the fifth road race on the schedule. The race won by Shane van Gisbergen was the first Cup Series race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. At the moment, NASCAR and race officials have not agreed on a contract to return for 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Tiger Woods Breaks Silence on New PGA Tour CEO
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Golf's world legend, Tiger Woods, has not only been the face of the sport but over time has also taken over critical decision-making roles when it comes to the PGA Tour. As a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, the 15-time major winner has taken on a more active governance role in recent years, joining fellow board members Adam Scott, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, and others. Though he has been MIA from professional golf, he has never let his presence go unseen, and something similar happened as the PGA Tour announced its new boss. Tiger Woods sends clear message to new PGA Tour CEO On Tuesday morning, Woods made a rare non-playing appearance at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, for the official announcement of Brian Rolapp as the PGA Tour's new Chief Executive Officer. While Woods wasn't there to tee it up at the Travelers Championship, his presence alongside Tour leadership sent a clear message - this hire has his full backing. Tiger Woods Breaks Silence on New PGA Tour CEO. (Image Collage | Getty Images) Tiger Woods Breaks Silence on New PGA Tour CEO. (Image Collage | Getty Images) Getty Images Rolapp, a Harvard Business School graduate, spent 22 years at the NFL, most recently as Chief Media and Business Officer, where he helped negotiate over $110 billion in media rights deals and launched digital platforms like NFL+. Now, he steps into golf's top executive role at a time when the Tour is navigating fractured relations with LIV Golf and a shifting commercial landscape. "I'm honored to join the PGA TOUR at such a pivotal time," Rolapp said during the pre-tournament press conference. "The PGA TOUR represents the highest level of competition, integrity, and global opportunity in the game of golf, and I believe deeply in the TOUR's mission and its potential to grow even stronger." Woods echoed that optimism in a post on X later that morning: "Congrats to Brian on becoming CEO of the PGA TOUR. I'm excited about where the TOUR is headed. And a big thank you to Jay for everything he's done for our game and for the players and fans." Congrats to Brian on becoming CEO of the PGA TOUR. I'm excited about where the TOUR is headed. And a big thank you to Jay for everything he's done for our game and for the players and fans. — Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 17, 2025 Rolapp's appointment follows a unanimous vote by the CEO Search Committee, which included Woods, Scott, Arthur M. Blank, Joe Gorder, and Sam Kennedy. He will serve as CEO of both PGA TOUR, Inc. and PGA TOUR Enterprises, reporting to both Boards of Directors, while Jay Monahan remains Commissioner through 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Monahan himself called Rolapp "the perfect choice for the next chapter of the PGA TOUR," adding, "His arrival strengthens our leadership team and reflects our shared commitment to the TOUR's continued evolution." Rolapp, for his part, acknowledged Woods' influence during the process, calling his involvement "significant" and praising his dedication to the next generation of players. With the Big Cat's endorsement and Rolapp's business strategies for the PGA Tour is clearly betting on a new era. More Golf: Paige Spiranac's 'Niche' Gets Nod of Approval from Annika Sorenstam
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to serve as crew chief in Pocono Xfinity race
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will serve as crew chief for Connor Zilisch's JR Motorsports car in Saturday's Xfinity race at Pocono Raceway, the team announced Wednesday. Crew chief Mardy Lindley will serve a one-race suspension this week because the team had two lug nuts not safe and secure after the Nashville race earlier this month. Advertisement The penalty was deferred, allowing Lindley to be with the team last weekend at Mexico. With Lindley serving the penalty, Earnhardt will be atop the pit box and listed as the No. 88 team's crew chief. It will mark Earnhardt's first time as crew chief in a NASCAR national series event. Earnhardt will be at Pocono as a member of the Prime broadcast crew for the Cup race. His JR Motorsports organization celebrated its seventh victory of the season last weekend with Daniel Suarez winning in Mexico City. That victory was the 95th for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. Only three teams have topped 100 Xfinity wins: Joe Gibbs Racing (217 wins)m, RFK Racing (138) and Richard Childress Racing (100). Earnhardt made 35 Cup starts at Pocono in his career, winning twice. He had 15 top-10 finishes. Advertisement Zilisch enters this weekend fifth in the series standings. He has one win this season. That came at Circuit of the Americas on March 1.
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to serve as crew chief in Pocono Xfinity race
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will serve as crew chief for Connor Zilisch's JR Motorsports car in Saturday's Xfinity race at Pocono Raceway, the team announced Wednesday. Crew chief Mardy Lindley will serve a one-race suspension this week because the team had two lug nuts not safe and secure after the Nashville race earlier this month. The penalty was deferred, allowing Lindley to be with the team last weekend at Mexico. With Lindley serving the penalty, Earnhardt will be atop the pit box and listed as the No. 88 team's crew chief. It will mark Earnhardt's first time as crew chief in a NASCAR national series event. Earnhardt will be at Pocono as a member of the Prime broadcast crew for the Cup race. His JR Motorsports organization celebrated its seventh victory of the season last weekend with Daniel Suarez winning in Mexico City. That victory was the 95th for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. Only three teams have topped 100 Xfinity wins: Joe Gibbs Racing (217 wins)m, RFK Racing (138) and Richard Childress Racing (100). Earnhardt made 35 Cup starts at Pocono in his career, winning twice. He had 15 top-10 finishes. Zilisch enters this weekend fifth in the series standings. He has one win this season. That came at Circuit of the Americas on March 1. Pressure is on😵💫New face on the pit box this weekend
