--- title: "NASCAR’s San Diego street race debut: How to watch Anduril 250 live" description: "First Cup Series street race in San Diego history drops this weekend. Here’s the start time, full field, and how to watch the Anduril 250 for free." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/how-to-watch-inaugural-nascar-san-diego-street-race-live-for-2c51e24f published: 2026-06-23T13:56:04.332+00:00 updated: 2026-06-23T13:56:04.332+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["nascar"] --- # NASCAR’s San Diego street race debut: How to watch Anduril 250 live > First Cup Series street race in San Diego history drops this weekend. Here’s the start time, full field, and how to watch the Anduril 250 for free. NASCAR’s first-ever Cup Series street race in San Diego—the Anduril 250—kicks off this weekend on a brand-new 3.6-mile temporary circuit weaving through the city’s downtown. The race starts at 3:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, marking a landmark moment for the sport as it ventures into urban racing for the first time. The 250-lap, 895-mile event is the 17th race of the 2024 Cup Series season and replaces the previously scheduled race at another venue, signaling NASCAR’s push to modernize its calendar. The San Diego street course is a technical beast: 12 turns packed into 3.6 miles, with a mix of hairpins, chicanes, and a long back straight that rewards precision over brute horsepower. Unlike the high-g downforce setups of superspeedways, teams are dialing in nimble cars with softer suspensions and aggressive tire strategies to handle the abrasive concrete and tight confines. The layout forces drivers to make split-second decisions—braking zones are short, runoff areas are limited, and wall contact spells instant elimination. This is racing where a single mistake can derail a championship contender, and rookies will need every ounce of road-course experience to survive. The field features 36 full-time Cup Series drivers, including defending champion Ryan Blaney in the No. 6 Ford Mustang, 2022 champ Joey Logano (No. 22 Toyota), and rookie phenom William Byron (No. 24 Chevrolet). Chase Elliott (No. 9 Chevrolet) returns after injury, while seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson makes a one-off start in the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet. The entry list also includes road-course specialists like AJ Allmendinger and Michael McDowell, who could gain an edge on the technical layout. Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, admitted the street course is “unlike anything I’ve ever raced on” and called the challenge “exhilarating.” Live coverage begins at 2:00 p.m. PT on NBC, with the green flag set for 3:00 p.m. PT. Fans without cable can stream the race for free via NBC’s digital platforms, including the NBC Sports app and Peacock, which offers a free tier with ads. International viewers can access the race through ESPN platforms in their respective regions. Practice sessions and qualifying aired Friday and Saturday, with Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Toyota) topping Saturday’s qualifying at 1:53.191 seconds. Hamlin’s speed hints at Toyota’s early dominance, but the street course’s attrition could flip the script by race’s end. NASCAR CEO Jim France called the San Diego street race “a bold step forward” for the sport, emphasizing its role in attracting new fans. “This isn’t just a race; it’s a statement that NASCAR is evolving,” France said. Drivers echoed the sentiment, with Blaney noting the “unreal” opportunity to race in a city setting. “It’s a whole different challenge, and I love it,” he added. Street circuits have long been staples in Formula 1 and IndyCar, where the blend of speed and precision creates unpredictable outcomes. NASCAR’s arrival in San Diego isn’t just about adding another race; it’s about borrowing from those series’ playbook to inject unpredictability into a sport often criticized for its predictability. The tight margins on a street course mean the margin for error shrinks dramatically—qualifying position matters less than execution over 250 laps. For teams, this is a stress test of adaptability, forcing crew chiefs to recalibrate strategies mid-race as tire wear and track evolution shift the balance of power. The Anduril 250 also serves as a litmus test for NASCAR’s broader ambitions. The league has eyed international expansion, particularly in markets like Australia and Europe where street circuits dominate. A successful debut in San Diego could greenlight more urban races, but a chaotic or underwhelming event risks reinforcing skepticism about NASCAR’s ability to thrive outside its traditional oval strongholds. The stakes extend beyond the track: sponsors, broadcasters, and city officials are watching closely to see if the gamble pays off in terms of fan engagement and economic impact. What’s next: The Anduril 250 could set the tone for NASCAR’s future street-race ambitions. If the event delivers on its promise of speed, strategy, and spectacle, expect more cities to join the Cup Series calendar. For fans, the next stop is the garage area and the green flag—don’t blink, or you’ll miss the history in the making. ## Why this matters NASCAR’s San Diego street race isn’t just another stop on the calendar; it’s the sport’s first Cup Series event on a temporary urban circuit, a deliberate move to break from tradition and court new audiences. For decades, NASCAR’s identity has been tied to ovals, but San Diego’s debut signals a pivot toward dynamic, city-based racing that could redefine how the sport is perceived. For fans, it’s a chance to experience high-speed action against a skyline backdrop—something no oval can replicate. For the league, it’s a high-stakes gamble that, if successful, could unlock a new era of growth. The race also tests NASCAR’s ability to adapt its rules and car setups on the fly, a critical skill as the sport eyes expansion into international markets where street circuits are the norm. ## Frequently asked ### When does the Anduril 250 start? The race begins at 3:00 p.m. PT on Sunday. Live coverage starts at 2:00 p.m. PT on NBC. ### How can I watch the Anduril 250 for free? Stream the race via NBC’s digital platforms—Peacock’s free tier with ads, the NBC Sports app, or NBC’s website. No cable subscription required. ### Who are the top drivers to watch? Defending champ Ryan Blaney, seven-time titlist Jimmie Johnson (making a one-off start), and road-course specialists like AJ Allmendinger and Michael McDowell headline the field. ### What’s the length of the San Diego street course? The temporary circuit is 3.6 miles long, featuring 12 turns and a mix of tight corners and long straights typical of street tracks. ### Why is this race significant for NASCAR? It’s the first Cup Series street race in NASCAR history, marking a strategic push to expand the sport’s appeal beyond traditional ovals and into urban markets. ### How do street-course setups differ from superspeedways? Teams use softer suspensions, aggressive tire strategies, and lower downforce to handle tight turns and abrasive surfaces. Superspeedways rely on high downforce for stability at 200+ mph; street courses reward nimble cars and precision. ## Sources & Citations - [How to watch inaugural NASCAR San Diego street race live for free: Start time, lineup - New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/06/21/sports/how-to-watch-inaugural-nascar-san-diego-street-race-live-for-free/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-21) --- Cite: NASCAR’s San Diego street race debut: How to watch Anduril 250 live. Sportopod, 2026-06-23. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/how-to-watch-inaugural-nascar-san-diego-street-race-live-for-2c51e24f