NASCAR’s first-of-its-kind race weekend at the active Coronado Naval Base in San Diego isn’t off to the best start, with fans trackside raising several concerns.

While it is an active military base, fans naturally went there expecting basic aspects of the event, like food, water, and transportation, to be hassle-free. But Saturday ended up being a torrid day for the fans who turned up for the O'Reilly race. 

Journalist Jeff Gluck was trackside and tweeted about his experience of speaking to the fans. One fan commented on the downside of being at the track.

 “Great meeting you earlier, I don’t mind the long race due to accidents and track issues but the logistical issues with the race are inexcusable for a major American sport. This is how you lose fans,” they said.

With the concrete wall in turn 2 being left destroyed after a massive 25-car crash on lap 35, the NOAPS race was halted for about 40 minutes as repairs and clean-up got underway. Jeff Gluck took the time to get the fans' perspective on the hospitality side of things. 

Gluck wrote on X, “Several fans have stopped me with less-than-ideal reports about several areas running out of food and the trams being basically unusable due to crazy lines (and each one only holds 16 people, I’m told).”

Gluck’s post continued, “One fan spent $1000 for his Hangar Club ticket and walked from the ferry to his seat and said it was five miles in total, and he’s so upset he isn’t coming back tomorrow.”

It was clear that at least the internet connectivity was on point because Gluck’s post got multiple replies from others at the Naval Base circuit, with most left disgruntled.

According to Gluck, fans like the event, but the logistics have been a letdown, be it parking, tram services, or long queues.

Fans voice out their disappointment for multiple reasons

Even the basics of food and water were in short supply during the NOAPS race on Saturday. Fans used X as a way to vent out their issues with the organizational side of the race in San Diego.

One wrote, “Not enough food vendors idk what they were thinking, and no water refill stations?! Then vendors selling out of water on top of that…”

Another complained about the distance between zones and the lack of transportation support, “If you are planning to go to other zones bring your walking shoes. Not enough trams. And no trams to the Yellow zone.

The biggest 👎 is the lack of artificial shade or cooling stations. The weather is great but the lack of shade is making it feel like you are roasting.”

Regulations are tighter given the Naval Base is an active military facility but there was a cut-off time that fans weren’t sure of. One fan felt his friend ended up wasting money.

“They also closed entry to the base at 4pm. My buddy got off work and was going to come check out the race late. They were at the manhole cover problem when he was turned away. Would’ve been nice to know that there was a cut off for entry. Poor guy wasted $120,” wrote a spectator.

It’s not just the entry or the lack of food and water that are hassles; even getting out of the track seems to be a task for fans. 

One wrote, “I like the event but yes there are lots of things to work on.  Went to catch uber at the place designated for ride share pick up and got call from uber driver saying he couldn't get on base.  Apparently they closed access well before the NOAPS race was finished.”

Hopefully, NASCAR has taken note of these complaints, and things look better for spectators tuning in for the first Cup race at the Naval Base in San Diego on Sunday.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason