Back in 1986, there was an ambitious project to build a massive 1.3-mile oval and a 2.6-mile road course in San Diego. However, the project lost investors immediately after approval due to concerns about smugglers. Most importantly, NASCAR’s initiative to bring back a street race in San Diego revives this historical event, a memory deeply embedded in the NASCAR scene.
NASCAR’s San Diego Street Race Plan and Track Block of 1986
The Athletic reported that NASCAR is continuously working on a deal to finalize a street race in San Diego for next year. However, the city of San Diego and NASCAR did not reach an agreement. Additionally, there is a long-term absence of NASCAR in Southern California as well. Therefore, the news from the insiders brings back some old memories, specifically the 1986 border track block.
Prominent writer of NASCAR history articles, @NASCARman, tweeted about the story after news broke that NASCAR was trying to organize a street race in San Diego after a long time.
In the tweet, he says, “In 1986, San Diego International Raceway was a proposed 2.6-mile road course and 1.3-mile oval that hoped to have F1, NASCAR, and Indy by 1988. The site was 150 feet from the US-Mexico border, and Border Patrol opposed it, fearing human traffickers would smuggle people and drugs during crowded race events. After getting approval, the track lost investors before construction began
In 1986, San Diego International Raceway was a proposed 2.6-mile road course and 1.3-mile oval that hoped to have F1, NASCAR, and Indy by 1988
The site was 150 feet from the US-Mexico border and Border Patrol opposed it, fearing human traffickers would smuggle people and drugs… pic.twitter.com/Eum7P60sXe
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) June 18, 2025
Following the post, fans cracked some jokes, where a fan said, “IMSA teams profits would’ve gone through the roof.” Meanwhile, another fan commented, “Martinsville on roids.”
On the other hand, a fan expressed his regret as he said, “We coulda had this beast, but we are stuck with Miami.”
The whole story reflects the political intricacy and the trouble that was visible back in 1986. Moreover, NASCAR was emerging, and a massive deal like this, losing its investors even after approval, was a huge blow to NASCAR.
Back then, the chief of Border Patrol of the San Diego sector, Alan Eliason, told the Board of Supervisors, “We do not have effective control of that border,” and added, “We’re simply asking you not to make our task more difficult.”
Afterwards, even after receiving the green light, the project lost investors. Now, NASCAR’s plan to once again hold a street race in San Diego brings the question of whether they can successfully organize a race without any intervention.