RFK Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing Make 'Trade' for San Diego NASCAR Race

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

RFK Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing Make 'Trade' for San Diego NASCAR Race

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated May 19, 2026 12:01 PM ET

The NASCAR San Diego Weekend at Naval Base Coronado is weeks away. It is a massively important weekend for NASCAR as they take on a new race at a new location, and most importantly, in California. There has been a trade made between two Cup Series teams already.

According to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, RFK Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing have agreed to a trade. No, it isn't about drivers or sponsors or actual team personnel.

As part of the race weekend, Naval Base Coronado held a "draft" of sorts. Different squadrons were assigned to NASCAR teams for the race. A way to boost morale and make this race feel part of the Coronado community.

Brad Keselowski waits on pit road before making an attempt to qualify at Darlington. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images

With a sponsorship from BuildSubmarines.com, RFK Racing wanted to be paired up with the submarine squadron from the USS Greeneville. Well, that squadron ended up with JGR. So, a trade was cooked up.

The folks at RFK Racing got with the people at Joe Gibbs Racing. Of course, JGR was more than happy to oblige the request. Good on JGR for agreeing to the trade. It isn't that big of a deal and it allows RFK Racing to align its sponsorship with the weekend and the military personnel involved.

NASCAR is taking the Craftsman Truck Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series to San Diego as well. It is a full weekend of racing at Naval Base Coronado from June 19-21. A nice summer weekend of racing by the water in San Diego. What more could you ask for?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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