Massive Railroad Ties Are Launching NASCAR Cars And Ryan Blaney Is Too Distracted By a Warship to Care

Alright, Seattle, let's talk about something absolutely wild happening outside of the Emerald City this weekend. Forget what you think you know about NASCAR, because what's going down in Southern California is making us sports fans on the West Coast collectively gasp. We're talking about a race so mind-bendingly unique, cars are getting sent flying off the asphalt, and one of the sport's biggest names, Ryan Blaney, is legit worried he's going to get distracted by a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier mid-race! This isn't a video game, people, this is real life, and it's happening on Naval Base Coronado this Sunday.

This Track Is the Hardest Thing NASCAR Has Ever Done

Seriously, this isn't hyperbole. The 16-turn, 3.4-mile layout on Coronado Island is the second street course in the 77-year history of the Cup Series, and get this, it's the very first time NASCAR has ever held a points race on a military installation. You've got battleships and San Diego Bay as a backdrop, but don't let the pretty views fool you. Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver Chris Buescher flat out said after practice, "This is quite possibly the hardest thing we've done in a race car." He added it was super tough "to find your marks," and there's "not much room for error." Points leader Tyler Reddick balanced taking in the scenery with taming a course that has "massive railroad-style ties" launching cars! Yeah, you read that right, LAUNCHING CARS! Reddick's advice for drivers? "Hold your breath." He’s also worried about that tricky Turn 3 braking zone, hoping nobody gets distracted by the massive aircraft carrier parked there. Blaney, the Team Penske driver in the No. 12 Ford, admitted he hopes he's "paying more attention to the corner and not the carrier when I brake into

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

that corner." With a dive team on hand for the "highly unlikely scenario" of a car ending up in the water, you know this course is no joke.

NASCAR's Wild Gamble to Win Over New Fans

This crazy, rough track is a huge statement. It’s the first Cup Series points race in Southern California since the California Speedway shut down three years ago, and NASCAR is clearly trying to make an impression. Chief operating officer Ben Kennedy said racing in a market of over 20 million people is "paramount," and he's been super aggressive building schedules to snag new fans. We saw a street race in downtown Chicago complete a three-year run last year, and Mexico City made its debut with a road course. Even 2012 champ Brad Keselowski, in his 17th season, said the culture has "flipped 180" from when NASCAR was "risk-averse" with its schedule. He welcomes the "major schedule innovations." This push is for real, folks. Amazon Prime Video is even broadcasting the race from the USS Vinson, setting up its studio on the deck and the announcing booth in the bridge of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Talk about a spectacle! Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron, who’s commuting to the track with a scooter, says he's excited to tackle this unique challenge, noting that Cup drivers are "conditioned well for a new challenge." They're embracing the muck and grind! What a time to be a motorsports fan, watching the sport constantly reinvent itself. Will NASCAR keep pushing the limits like this? Keselowski, who's in planning meetings as a team owner, hinted that the 2027 schedule will have "more surprises," even if Chicago, Mexico City, or San Diego don't return. So buckle up, Seattle, because this Sunday's race on Coronado is more than just a race. It's a statement, a wild ride, and a look into the future of a sport that isn't afraid to go all-in for excitement. Don't miss it!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.