Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson hopes to make some personal history next Father’s Day weekend, when the world’s premier stock car racing series visits his hometown for the first time.
Johnson said earlier this week that he hopes to start in all three of the weekend’s races — the featured Cup race June 21 at Naval Base Coronado as well as the Xfinity and truck races leading up to the main event.
And that’s only part of his plans for his first race in San Diego County in 30 years.
The June 19-21, 2026, dates for the historic racing weekend on the 3.4-mile, 16-turn street/road course on Naval Base Coronado — which will be NASCAR’s first-ever race on a military base — will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. The event also commemorates the 250th birthday of the nation and the U.S. Navy.
“This is going to be an amazing weekend for NASCAR, San Diego, the city’s proud military connection and myself,” Johnson said. “I never thought about something like this because I never contemplated NASCAR racing in San Diego.
“Now that it’s happening, we’re going big. I’m not missing a chance to race in San Diego. This is huge personally for me, my family, my team, my friends, my foundation and my ties that still exist to where I grew up. I’m pumped.”
Johnson, 50, is now the owner of Legacy Motor Club — a multi-car Cup team that traces its roots to the Petty Enterprises organization that was there at the birth of NASCAR in 1949. Johnson’s team currently fields drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek on the NASCAR Cup tour and is seeking a charter for a third car.
Johnson has driven part-time since 2023 after 20 full seasons on NASCAR’s premier series and two seasons on the IndyCar circuit. He has 83 career NASCAR Cup wins and is tied with legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven season championships. Johnson is the only driver to win five straight titles and the only driver to win titles under multiple scoring systems.
The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 2009, Johnson was a first-ballot selection to the Motorsports and NASCAR Halls of Fame in 2024; he has not been inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions. He’s made 700 NASCAR starts, but says June 21 will be special.
“It’s everything that’s wrapped into the weekend. The nation’s birthday, the site and the military connection, me racing in San Diego, celebrating the foundation’s anniversary. This is a shock in a very positive way,” he said. “The highest level of racing is coming to town, and I’m a part of it. Incredible. It’s going to be a great event, and I understand NASCAR is already thinking it’s going to be a huge event. The one thing I’ll need to do is find a balance between the racing, the event, my family and the foundation … seat time in cars and the foundation.”
“I’m already having fun with the outreach I’ve had from San Diego businesses. This could be a huge weekend for the foundation.”
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation has provided the San Diego area with everything from three El Cajon homes through Habitat for Humanity to resource rooms, computers, supplies and playground equipment for K-12 schools and $2 million in rebuilding materials following two local wildfires.
“But I’m coming to race,” said Johnson. “I’ll have to qualify for every race, going for one of the open spots in each race. There are no free passes in NASCAR. It’s be fast, or go home. But I want to be on the track for as many laps as possible over the three days.”
Strong early returns
NASCAR reports the Coronado event is already making waves.
Deposits and advance wait-list registration is the largest of any new event in NASCAR history. The presale for premium ticket packages has been extremely high, leading NASCAR and the Navy to work closely to provide additional options in the coming weeks.
Nearly 70% of purchasers so far are new ticket buyers. But demand is also high among fans of five-plus years and “recovered fans” — those who once attended NASCAR events but had recently been absent.
