Ford and NASCAR Collaborate for Inaugural Veterans Day Race to Honor Armed Forces

This weekend marks a historic occasion as NASCAR hosts its first-ever races on an active U.S. military installation, taking place at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego. Drivers will navigate a specially crafted 3.4-mile street circuit, completing 75 laps in what promises to be an extraordinary experience for participants and fans alike. Notable former NASCAR figures, including seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson and Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray, are returning to compete in the Truck Series race on Friday.

The event aligns with the U.S. celebration of 250 years of independence and further strengthens NASCAR's ongoing collaboration with the military. This weekend's races are only the beginning, as Ford Motor Company and NASCAR have announced plans for an exhibition event called the Proud To Honor Veterans Day Classic, set for November 11, 2026. This race will pay tribute to all six branches of the military and feature drivers racing in the Mustang Dark Horse Rs, specifically designed for International Motor Sports Association competitions.

“It's an extension of Ford's commitment to the military community to our racing business,” Nick Ford, director of corporate strategy at Ford, shared with USA TODAY Sports. “We tried to think of a way to bridge those two worlds... Ford is the most iconic American company, and what better way to embody that than honoring the military?” Alongside the race, an exclusive concert by the Zac Brown Band is planned, with participation from Ford Racing drivers across various motorsports.

While the exact venue and viewing options for the upcoming race are still being finalized, the announcement was made on June 17 aboard the USS Midway in San Diego, with a host of special guests, including former Marine Rob Riggle and the Travis Manion Foundation. NASCAR’s Tim Clark noted the significance of partnering with Ford, saying, “It’s hard to think of a partner that’s more synonymous with that than Ford.”

This new exhibition race occurs just days after NASCAR’s Cup Series championship in Homestead-Miami, a timing that presents both challenges and opportunities. Along with the race announcement, Ford also introduced a limited-edition Super Duty Proud to Honor package for their F-250, F-350, and F-450 models, with a portion of sales benefiting Blue Star Families.

Nick Ford emphasized the company's commitment to supporting military families, stating, “This is just another way to show up for the community, and to do it in a really fun way.” With NASCAR exploring unique venues, Clark expressed hope that this weekend's event could lead to future races at military installations across the country.

As Ford aims for a successful race weekend, having one of their drivers cross the finish line first would serve as a fitting tribute to their dedication to the military. Currently, the Ford drivers in contention for NASCAR's postseason Chase include Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, and Austin Cindric.