Winners and losers from a riveting NASCAR Cup race in San Diego

Corey Heim secured his first career NASCAR Cup victory in his 13th start during the street course race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. Driving a part-time unchartered entry for 23XI Racing, Heim defeated championship leader Tyler Reddick to take the win, according to race reports.

The event resulted in a 1-2 finish for 23XI Racing. Bubba Wallace finished second after recovering from a two-lap penalty caused by a loose right-front wheel during an early pit stop.

Why did Tyler Reddick lose ground in the championship?

Tyler Reddick lost 43 points in the regular season title fight during the final five laps of the race. According to race data, he lost 20 points when he surrendered the lead and another 23 points after cutting a tire during contact with Heim.

These errors reduced Reddick’s lead over Denny Hamlin to eight points, down from a 129-point lead one month prior. Reddick attributed the result to multiple mistakes, including a qualifying incident and a mid-race spin.

Did You Know? Federal agents from the NCIS arrested an intoxicated fan who ran onto the track during a red flag in Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly race and lost a flip-flop while fleeing over two fences.

How did the San Diego race affect the Chase battle?

Shane van Gisbergen scored only one point in San Diego after wrecking in a restart pileup. He now sits five points outside of the Chase with only one road course remaining in the 2026 season to earn the necessary points.

Ryan Preece moved back inside the top 16 after collecting 19 of 20 available stage points, despite an 11th-place finish. AJ Allmendinger, who operates without shared data or Chevrolet support, earned a top-five finish and sits 21 points outside the Chase.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the volatility of street courses can create massive swings in the standings, as seen with Reddick’s 43-point loss in just five laps, which effectively erased a significant portion of his championship cushion.

What other incidents occurred during the weekend?

Austin Hill won the NASCAR O’Reilly race on Saturday by passing Taylor Gray on the final lap. However, Hill later crashed from the lead during Sunday’s Cup race after missing the apex of Turn 1, eliminating himself, Connor Zilisch, and Shane van Gisbergen.

NASCAR Coronado Highlights San Diego Naval Base North Island 2026 NAVY Race Cup Series Corey Heim

NASCAR debutant Kevin Magnussen earned the fastest lap bonus and engaged in a multi-lap feud with Noah Gragson. Following the race, Magnussen expressed a desire to return to the sport after the encounter.

Christopher Bell dropped outside the top ten in the standings following an engine failure in San Diego. Bell has scored 23 points over the last three weeks due to a fractured wrist from a Michigan crash and fuel issues at Pocono.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the NASCAR Cup race at Naval Base Coronado?
Corey Heim won the race, marking his first career Cup victory in his 13th start.

How did Bubba Wallace finish second despite a penalty?
Wallace overcame a two-lap penalty resulting from a loose right-front wheel to secure the second-place finish.

What was the result of the conflict between Kevin Magnussen and Noah Gragson?
Magnussen sent Gragson into the wall after a multi-lap feud; after the race, Magnussen told Gragson to “f*** off” during a confrontation.

Which driver’s recovery from a bad start was most impressive this weekend?