NASCAR in San Diego: Days of Thunder Meets Top Gun—Now All It Needs Is Tom Cruise

Its Not Just a Race, Its a Mission.

Thats the storyline NASCAR is promising after announcing on Wednesday that it will host a street race on arguably the most off-the-wall location meant in a good way to ever hold a race: Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.If the three-minute promotional trailer that was also released Wednesday can live up to its promise in real life, this could be one of the biggest races in the sports history.

In fact, this could be one of the biggest stories in sports history.The elements of the planned race, which will take the place of the street race in Chicago for at least one year, look spectacular in the promo video.And if that video ultimately becomes true-to-life excitement on race weekend, it would not be a total surprise if NASCAR never returns to downtown Chicago.

Although rumors persist that the long-idle Chicagoland Speedway in suburban Joliet, Illinois will reopen next year for its first race weekend since 2019.When it was first rumored that NASCAR would hold a street race in San Diego, perception was that it would be along the beaches of the Pacific Ocean and potentially through the downtown area.

But with rumor now becoming reality that the race will be held nearby on a naval base, the promotional opportunities are unlimited.At the top of the list, the U.S.

Navy will be in the midst of its 250th anniversary year (founded on October 13, 1775 during the American Revolutionary War).And trust me, Navy guys absolutely know how to throw a party.

With NASCAR as part of that party, the naval base police department may have to temporarily expand the size of its brig.The guest list is sure to be massiveThen theres President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who are locks to attend the race, showing off not only American horsepower and ingenuity, but also touting all the elements of the worlds greatest naval fighting force.NASCAR will not only have a picturesque backdrop for the race, it also finally fulfills something the sport has needed since 2022 (the last Cup race held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.): a high-profile race in Southern California.

Although its likely to cause monstrous security headaches during construction and takedown of the track, not to mention during race weekend itself.And given the geographic location and the excitement this race is sure to generate, dont be surprised if virtually every major company in the country wants to attach their names and brands to the race weekend.This isnt the first time Naval Base Coronado has played host to a major sporting event.

On Nov.

11, 2011, The Carrier Classic, a college basketball game that took place on the U.S.

Carl Vinson, docked in Coronado and featured Michigan State vs.

North Carolina, with President Barack Obama among those in attendance.The more I think about the possibilities of a Cup street race in the middle of a naval base, the more excited I become.

In fact, and I admit Im probably reaching a bit too much by saying this, but if there really, truly is a script in development to the long-anticipated sequel to Days of Thunder, well, here it is.Days of Thunder meets Top Gun, a.k.a.

Cole Trickle meets Pete Maverick Mitchell.

Its practically a guaranteed Oscar winner even before the first scenes are filmed.

Yes, this is going to be one of the most exciting weekends NASCAR has ever seen.All it needs is for Tom Cruise to show up, and Im willing to bet hes already on the guest list.

Heck, even better, make Tom the Grand Marshal of the race, have him give the command to start engines, and wave the green flag to start the race.The only thing is, though: Does Cruise wear a firesuit or a Naval uniform?The post NASCAR in San Diego: Days of Thunder Meets Top GunNow All It Needs Is Tom Cruise appeared first on The SportsRush..

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