As anticipation continues to build for NASCAR’s first-ever race weekend at Naval Base Coronado, teams now know one more important detail heading into the sport’s highly anticipated San Diego debut.
NASCAR released the qualifying order Wednesday for Saturday’s Cup Series qualifying session, giving fans an early look at which drivers will be among the first to tackle the brand-new street course and which contenders will have to wait until later in the session.
While nobody yet knows exactly how the track will evolve throughout the weekend, the qualifying order could become a major storyline as teams search for every possible advantage on a circuit that has never hosted a NASCAR national series event.
Kevin Magnussen Will Lead the Field Onto the Track
Trackhouse Racing’s Kevin Magnussen, making his Cup Series debut in the No. 91 Chevrolet, will be the first driver to take a qualifying lap Saturday.
Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will follow second, while Corey Heim, Noah Gragson and Zane Smith round out the first five drivers scheduled to make qualifying attempts.
Among the other notable names in the first qualifying group are Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece and Christopher Bell.
The second group features many of the sport’s biggest stars, including Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher.
Several championship contenders are scheduled to qualify near the end of the session. William Byron will roll off 36th, Kyle Larson 37th, Tyler Reddick 38th and Denny Hamlin 39th.
Because San Diego is a completely new venue, it remains unclear whether drivers will benefit from going early on a cleaner track or later after additional rubber has been laid down. That uncertainty only adds another layer of intrigue to what is already one of the most anticipated race weekends of the season.
San Diego Continues to Dominate NASCAR Conversation
Few events have generated as much discussion entering a race weekend as NASCAR’s move to Naval Base Coronado.
The Cup Series, O’Reilly Series and Craftsman Truck Series will all compete at the Southern California venue, marking the first time NASCAR has raced on the temporary street circuit. The event has drawn attention well beyond the traditional NASCAR audience thanks to its unique setting, military backdrop and lineup of guest drivers.
Magnussen’s Cup debut, Johnson’s return to one of NASCAR’s most talked-about weekends and the arrival of several road-course specialists have only added to the buzz.
Now, with the qualifying order set, fans have another storyline to watch as teams begin the process of learning the new circuit.
The first competitive laps around the San Diego street course are still days away, but the countdown to NASCAR history is officially underway.