Best of the Rest: San Diego / Coronado Weekend-Qualcomm Circuit

The 2026 season has seen it’s share of history making events in motorsports. NASCAR certainly had a different look last weekend, as all three divisions “raced the base”, in a first of it’s kind event.  The 3.4-mile temporary circuit on the grounds of  the U.S. Navy Base Coronado provided a fresh, exciting backdrop for drivers to contest their skills. The uniqueness of an inaugural event also means every driver starts with a clean slate.

The most intriguing part of the weekend also came in the Craftsman Truck and O’Reilly Series as the usual road course Cup Series interlopers (think Allmendinger, Zilisch, SVG) were not permitted to compete. This gave fans a look at who really rules the road within each series.

Next week, the NOAP Series and Cup teams hit the wine country hills of Sonoma in their last respective road course events of the season. (Please keep Watkins Glen in August NASCAR….it did not go as planned).

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NAVY 250

Winner: Layne Riggs

Pole: Kaden Honeycutt

#62 Kaz Grala

A name not mentioned in much time appeared on the entry list San Diego’s truck event. Longtime journeyman and road course ace Grala got behind the wheel of HALMAR-Friesen Racing’s second new #62 Toyota. Sporting the colors of longtime supporter Fire Department Coffee, Grala’s patriotic truck put considerable pressure on the leaders late in the going of the inaugural event.

While not leading, Grala drove his Toyota to a third place finish after starting 16th, and was very much in position to be a threat for a dark horse win. San Diego was Grala’s first truck start since 2023, and first start in any of NASCAR’s premier series since 2024.

#42 Tyler Reif

You have to wonder what could have been for series newcomer Tyler Reif in San Diego’s inaugural event. Reif, a standout driver from the ARCA Menards East and West Series got a major callup this season, signing to run a good portion of the truck schedule for Niece Motorsports and their #42 Chevrolet.

The elimination of typical road course specialists from competing in this event, allowed Reif to draw on his ARCA Menards Series experience on road courses. The result? In just his sixth start this season, Reif was in position to score the most surprising win of the weekend…and almost did win.

Rolling off 14th, Reif made his way to the front of the pack late, taking the lead on lap 52 of 53. Unfortunately, mere corners from his first win, Reif missed a corner and had to stop based on road course rules. This relegated the ARCA standout to a 19th-place finish.

Reif debuted in 2025 in Phoenix season finale with Niece Motorsports, where he scored a 9th-place finish. He also has a best 2026 finish of 14th at Watkins Glen this season.

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UNITED RENTALS DRIVEN TO SERVE 250

Winner: Austin Hill

Pole: Brent Crews

#87 Austin Green

Rookie Austin Green’s season took quite a turn a few weeks ago, as it was announced the displaced Nick Sanchez would take over the reigns of the Peterson Racing Group #87 Chevrolet in select events throughout 2026. Green, who began the season with a full-time ride in the new team has already had to sit out Pocono, now has a statement to make.  That statement?…made in San Diego.

Qualifying the #87 Chevrolet 8th, Green was able to showcase his road racing skills, and collected his third top ten of the season, finishing 8th. Green also has top ten finishes at Talladega and Watkins Glen earlier this season. Nick Sanchez began the season with the ill-fated AM Racing team and the solo Ford in the field most weeks.

**the remaining races on Sanchez’s schedule include a returning Chicagoland, Atlanta, and Indy**

#24 Harrison Burton

2026 may have gotten off to an exceptionally slow start for former Cup Series driver Harrison Burton. Rejoining the NOAP Series regulars this season with Sam Hunt Racing, the season has not gone as expected. However, SHR’s former part-time second #24 Toyota team has begun to show signs of life as we approach summer.

Sporting new colors with Klutch Vodka on the #24, Burton and crew had a much needed punch in the arm on the naval base. Following a 15th-place qualifying effort, the SHR driver raced his way to a 9th-place finish and scored his first top ten of 2026.

Showing signs of momentum in the summer stretch of races, Burton finished 11th in Pocono and 9th on the base. The previous best of 2026 was a 13th in Rockingham, eight races in to this season.

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ANDURIL 250

Winner: Corey Heim

Pole: Shane Van Gisbergen

#67 Corey Heim

The timer has now went off on “Heim Time” in San Diego. Heim, who had a record breaking championship truck run in 2025, was somehow left without a full-time ride in any of the top series in 2026. While this would knock most competitors down, Heim has dug in during 2026….and now has his first Cup Series win. Already announced, Heim will become a Cup Series competitor full-time in 2026, with 23XI Racing and their #35 Toyota.

Heim, who has had stout performances on road courses in his truck career, took advantage of a late race melee that took out the likes of SVG and Connor Zilisch, and assumed the lead from teammate Tyler Reddick on lap 73. Keeping the #67 23XI Racing entry solidly in the lead, Heim scored his first career win by a decent margin.

Heim made his Cup debut in 2024, and now has just over a dozen Cup races under his belt…and has already kicked in the door to Victory Lane. Heim’s previous best in the #67 Toyota this season is a 15th in Kansas.

#35 Riley Herbst

Herbst has made select appearances in past BoTR articles over the past two seasons, but seems to be building some summer momentum as his career at 23XI Racing begins to wind down. As mentioned above, race winner Heim will be taking over Herbst’s #35 in 2027. In what could be considered an audition the remainder of 2026, Herbst has quietly improved in results….this includes leading his first laps in San Diego.

Herbst rolled off 24th in San Diego, which while unassuming, put him closer to the front of the field as attrition built in the late stages. Leading twice for three laps during the mid race point, Herbst would settle out a strong 8th by race’s end.

Herbst, who has been linked with Legacy Motor Club’s new third entry in 2027, has shown great progress in 2026. A season that started out with an 8th in Daytona 500 quickly became a roller coaster. The last few weeks however, have shown results of 17th, 13th, 16th, and now 8th as Herbst searches for a 2027 home.