NASCAR, MotoGP & Supercars News: Coronado Update, Marini Stays, Enduro Rule Change Looms

NASCAR is heading to Coronado.

After weeks of speculation and sourcing, the long-rumored event is expected to be officially announced this Wednesday: NASCAR will race at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego during the summer of 2026. It’ll fill the slot previously held by the Chicago Street Race, which ends its run after 2025. Chicago was an ambitious project, and while the visuals were incredible, the racing product and logistical hurdles left its future in question. The decision not to renew after three seasons opened the door for a new street course, and it’s now set to be San Diego. Kelly Crandall of RACER reports that the announcement could be set for Wednesday.

Many Hoped For A Race Downtown But It Looks Like Plan B Became Plan A

This marks a significant return for NASCAR to Southern California. The last points-paying race in Southern California happened back in 2023 at Auto Club Speedway which is currently sitting in limbo, its proposed short track redevelopment stalled indefinitely. The Coronado event gives the region something new to rally around, and early feedback suggests it could be more dynamic than the Chicago layout with waterfront views, and fewer tight 90-degree corners.

Between this, a possible Montreal addition NASCAR seems to be investing in making its schedule feel like a global tour. Whether fans enjoy it or not, the series appears all-in on diversification.

Meanwhile, over in the MotoGP world, the silly season has mostly settled and Luca Marini is staying put.

Motorsport.com reports that Marini has re-signed with Honda’s factory team, extending his contract through the end of the current regulations cycle (2026). It was the expected move, especially after Honda missed out on Jorge Martin, who is locked into Aprilia until the end of 2026. Marini has had a rough year in terms of results but remains Honda’s second-best rider and, more importantly, a known quantity for a manufacturer desperate for stability. His best result so far in 2025 came at the Sachsenring, finishing sixth.

Luca Marini Is Re-Signed Through 2026 But No Word On Afterwards

Behind the scenes, Honda is also rethinking its approach to the satellite LCR team. Johann Zarco is expected to continue leading that operation, but Somkiat Chantra may be on the way out. The Thai rider’s data is reportedly too far off the pace to be usable a big problem when every other Honda is already struggling. The bigger story might be Honda’s cooling interest in the Idemitsu pipeline, potentially opening the door for a more open rider selection process.

Even as their results lag behind Ducati and KTM, Honda appears to be playing the long game eyes firmly on the 2027 rulebook and a hopeful rebuild around a major name.

Finally, let’s talk Supercars because changes may be coming to one of the most polarizing rules of the year.

The New Format Is Expected To Shake Up Strategies

Speedcafe is reporting that Supercars is seriously considering scrapping the 2024 rule that forced primary drivers to start endurance races like Bathurst and The Bend 500. The intent was understandable: make sure the biggest names are on track for the green flag. But in practice, it eliminated nearly all strategic variety. Every team was locked into the same rhythm start the main driver, pit early, and get the co-driver’s required laps done ASAP.

The proposed fix? A hybrid format.

Under the idea being floated, the top 10 cars those that make the Saturday Shootout would be required to start the race with the driver who ran the Shootout lap. Everyone else, from 11th on back, could pick either the main driver or the co-driver to start the race. It’s a clever compromise. If a team wants full strategy freedom, they can play it safe in qualifying and opt out of the Shootout. But if they want a shot at pole, they’re locked into starting that same driver on Sunday.

It’s believed the plan has support across the paddock and is part of a larger push by Supercars motorsport boss Tim Edwards to fine-tune the enduro product. Edwards already reduced fuel tank sizes and increased the minimum co-driver laps for 2025. This change could be the final puzzle piece to bring unpredictability and balance back to the races.