Military Leaders and Celebrity Guests to Anchor Pre-Race Ceremonies for Anduril 250 Race the Base
Sailors assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) will serve as Grand Marshal, delivering the iconic command
By NASCAR
SAN DIEGO (June 20, 2026) – NASCAR San Diego today announced an unforgettable lineup of military leaders and distinguished guests that will set the stage for Sunday’s Anduril 250 Race the Base, the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race aboard Naval Base Coronado.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will join the NASCAR San Diego Weekend as Honorary Starter for Sunday’s main event. Former NFL stars Tony Jefferson and Marshawn Lynch will participate in pre-race festivities as Honorary Race Officials before Warner Records Nashville’s multi-platinum star Gabby Barrett performs “America the Beautiful.” Barrett, who has now amassed more than 4.2 billion global career streams, notched her record-breaking platinum debut album, Goldmine, in 2020, featuring the meteoric breakout 9X platinum #1 “I Hope,” which ruled the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a record-breaking 27 weeks.
Representing the men and women who serve our nation, sailors assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) will serve as Grand Marshal, delivering the iconic command for drivers to start their engines before the green flag waves on one of the most anticipated races of the year. Hollywood actor Scott Eastwood will be in the “Speed Seat,” taking hot laps around the track ahead of the historic NASCAR Cup Series race.
“From the very beginning, NASCAR San Diego has been about honoring the service and sacrifice of our military while delivering a world-class sporting event unlike anything fans have experienced before,” said Amy Lupo, NASCAR San Diego President. “Sunday’s pre-race ceremony reflects that vision, bringing together members of the United States Navy, distinguished leaders and celebrated figures from sports and entertainment as we prepare to make history.”
The pre-race celebration will begin with presentation of colors by the U.S. Ceremonial Color Guard from Washington, D.C. Chaplain Philip Carson, USS Carl Vinson Command Chaplain, will deliver the invocation.
Navy Band Southwest Ceremonial Band will perform the national anthem before a breathtaking flyover featuring the E-2D Hawkeye Bloodhounds of VX-30, F/A-18E Super Hornets “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94, and the F-35C Lightning II of VFA-115 “the Eagles.”
The Anduril 250 Race the Base serves as the centerpiece of NASCAR San Diego’s inaugural race weekend, marking the first NASCAR Cup Series race contested aboard an active military installation. The historic event celebrates the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary while showcasing the speed, competition and patriotic traditions that define NASCAR.
The Anduril 250 Race the Base is scheduled for Sunday, June 21. Fans can purchase tickets and learn more about NASCAR San Diego by visiting NASCARSanDiego.com.
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