Hocevar shares behind-the-scenes shot from NASCAR | Sports News

Ahead of the Brickyard 400, the place the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge will come to a close, NASCAR introduced the addition of a avenue race on the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego to the 2026 Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series schedules with an epic video that includes the ever-controversial Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Noah Gragson, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron.

The first race to be held in Southern California because the 2024 Clash on the LA Coliseum, and the primary NASCAR occasion of any type to be held at an energetic army base, it would additionally help rejoice the United States Navy’s 250th anniversary.

In the video, Elliott proposes a avenue race on the base, prompting his 5 colleagues to be introduced in by Navy personnel and brought to the deck of one of its plane carriers. After being challenged to “show honor, courage, and commitment,” every is then proven “real speed” by taking to the skies in fighter jets, with some less-than-subtle hints to the Top Gun franchise.

Back on terra firma, the drivers are challenged to tackle the proposed observe across the base, the place they may attempt to outrun the Navy Security Force. Despite their best efforts in three basic vehicles, they’re finally apprehended, earlier than the bottom’s commanding officer, Captain Loren Jacobi, offers them permission to carry the race in 2026.

Following the publication of the video, Spire Motorsports’ Hocevar commented, “This was fun,” earlier than returning to share a selfie he took while filming the chase scene, with a Navy Police officer standing alongside a car behind him. In response, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s media manufacturing company, Dirty Mo Media, jokingly commented, “Now who did you p— off.”

In the official announcement, NASCAR’s government vice president, Ben Kennedy, mentioned he believed the San Diego race could be “the best sporting event of the year.”

“What a special way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Navy, 250th anniversary of our country and put on what is going to be undoubtedly the most anticipated event of 2026.”

Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan additionally weighed in on the announcement, stating, “NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence.

“Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation, it’s not just a historic first, it’s a powerful tribute to the values we share: grit, teamwork and love of country. From the flight deck to the finish line, this collaboration reflects the operational intensity and unity of purpose that define both the United States Navy and NASCAR.

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“We’re proud to open our gates to the American people, honor those who serve, and inspire the next generation to step forward and serve something greater than themselves.”

Exactly what the observe will appear like come June 19-21 2026, has but to be finalized. That being mentioned, Kennedy did tease that it will finally “be a blend of traditional street racing in a way where we’ll be winding our ways through some of the streets on the base.

“They’ll be going past carriers. They’ll eventually go out onto the tarmac, probably by some military aircraft, maybe a couple of F-18s out there, and then back towards the entrance to the base.”