Traffic Control for One-of-a-Kind NASCAR Race – Celebrating America 250 and the U.S. Navy

NASCAR San Diego Weekend at Naval Base Coronado marks a first-of-its-kind race weekend tied to two historic milestones: America 250 and the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday. As NASCAR brings this high-profile event to a new market and an active military base on Father’s Day weekend, clear traffic guidance is essential for fans, event staff and the surrounding community. To help keep traffic moving safely and communication clear, NASCAR is partnering with AWP Safety.

Customer Challenge

As a first-time event, NASCAR San Diego Weekend requires careful coordination before race weekend. NASCAR needs a traffic control partner that can translate plans into field execution while navigating the requirements of key stakeholders — including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

The setting adds complexity. Unlike a traditional speedway, race-day traffic for Naval Base Coronado is concentrated around limited access points that converge at the Coronado Bridge, the only way to access the naval base and race event. Drivers need clear information before they arrive, and traffic guidance must support safe ingress and egress without disrupting the surrounding community.

Because San Diego is a new market for NASCAR, the organization needed a provider that understands local traffic conditions, agency requirements and event-day execution. After a successful experience with AWP Safety at Phoenix Speedway, NASCAR turned to the company again for the same level of safety expertise and support in San Diego.

NASCAR also needed early guidance on Caltrans right-of-way considerations and other local requirements to keep planning on track and navigate unnecessary administrative hurdles.

AWP Safety Solutions

AWP Safety is providing a traffic control solution designed to support public awareness, driver guidance and on-site coordination before and during race weekend.

The team’s scope includes portable changeable message signs, specialty signage, Type III barricades, traffic control crews, and PCMS (Portable Changeable Message Sign) maintenance and programming. Message boards positioned throughout the area help alert the public, direct drivers toward appropriate routes and provide lane-specific guidance closer to the base.

AWP Safety also helped NASCAR work through California-specific requirements. When questions arose around Caltrans bonding and permitting, AWP Safety helped clarify what was required, what applied to the project and how to address it without adding unnecessary complexity or cost.

“We bring decades of expertise to every job. The team has a great ability to understand what is being requested during the planning phase of any project and apply the appropriate safety standards to keep our communities and event operations safe.” says Michael Lancas, vice president, sales. “That is where our experience in California makes a difference — providing the skills and resources needed so customers can move forward with confidence.” 

Measurable Results

While race weekend is still ahead, AWP Safety has already helped NASCAR move into execution with greater clarity, confidence and readiness.

Key outcomes:

• Avoided significant permitting and bonding expenses by helping clarify Caltrans requirements before race weekend
• Strengthened public awareness and driver guidance through 23 portable PCMSs planned in advance of race weekend, with 9 additional units added for race-weekend operations
• Reduced uncertainty around California right-of-way requirements, helping NASCAR keep planning on track
• Extended the customer-focused approach NASCAR experienced at Phoenix Speedway into a new, high-profile market

For AWP Safety, the project demonstrates the value of pairing field execution with local agency knowledge and proactive customer support. 

“This is the kind of event our team is proud to support,” Lancas says. “It brings together NASCAR, the military and a milestone moment during the Navy 250 celebration, and it gives us the opportunity to show what AWP Safety can do when the customer needs confidence in a complex environment.”