NASCAR IMPACT teamed with the San Diego Street Race to give 20 youth from the military-affiliated Boys & Girls Club at Naval Base Coronado a firsthand look at what it takes to bring a NASCAR race to life.
On June 13, the group toured the San Diego Street Race site, getting an up-close view of the track build, grandstands and hospitality structures. Along the way, they learned how the event’s design process comes together, with NASCAR Design & Development leaders walking participants through the STEM concepts behind the build – from engineering and infrastructure planning to the technology that powers a major motorsports event. Participants saw both completed sections of the course and areas still under construction, offering a rare look at the makings of this historic street.
The day began with a welcome and program kickoff alongside NASCAR leadership, followed by the behind-the-scenes tour and lunch in the Operations Compound. Amy Lupo, President of the San Diego Street Race, joined the group. Lupo and her team have been longtime community advocates, and that commitment will be reflected in programming woven throughout the entire race weekend.
“Community has always been at the heart of what we’re building here in San Diego. Getting to share that with the Boys & Girls Club and letting these kids see the race from the inside out—that’s what this event is all about for us,” said Lupo.
The group will return to Naval Base Coronado on Saturday, June 20, when they will attend the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race — a chance to see the venue they toured come to life on race day.
The activation is part of NASCAR IMPACT’s ongoing work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to connect young people with the sport, and the career paths it supports. By pairing the tour with NASCAR Design & Development, the program aimed to inspire interest in STEM-related careers through hands-on exposure to the people and processes behind a NASCAR weekend.
The experience also reflects NASCAR’s continued commitment to military-affiliated families, connecting the Naval Base Coronado community with the sport through an event taking place in their own backyard. For the San Diego Street Race team, the day was another example of community programming built into the fabric of the event which is a priority Lupo and her team have championed since the race’s inception.