By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service

SVG PROVING HE’S STILL THE FAVORITE

SAN DIEGO – One after another NASCAR Cup Series, drivers smirked and/or laughed when asked who should be considered the “favorite” for Sunday’s Inaugural Anduril 250 on San Diego’s iconic Naval Base Coronado (4 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 19: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 Red Bull Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 19, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Trackhouse Racing driver Shane Van Gisbergen – a multi-time Australian SuperCars Series champion and winner of six of the last seven NASAR Cup Series road course races — was the name on everyone’s tongue, and he wasted little time claiming the top position on the speed chart in Friday’s 50-minute opening practice on the 3.4-mile, 16-turn course around the base.

In the final five minutes of the session, Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson ultimately turned in the fastest lap of the day (89.612 mph) in the No. 5 Chevrolet with Front Row Motorsports’ Todd Gilliland, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs, Trackhouse Racing rookie Connor Zilisch and Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar rounding out the top-five in speed.

Van Gisbergen – who has won the last two inaugural road races (at Chicago, 2023 and Mexico City, 2025) – was eighth quickest.

“Not too bad,’’ Van Gisbergen said of his eight-lap run, noting that the team had a bit of a communication problem calling him into the pits during the session.

“Surprising how much [tire] fall off there was, I felt like I was slow but I guess everyone else was too.’’

Larson was also surprised at the speeds Friday, guessing that in some cases laps were between eight and 10-seconds slower than drivers turned in the sim in preparation. And, he said, a solid start position will likely be pivotal on race day.

“It’s crucial everywhere but a place here like this track I would think it would be extra important,’’ Larson said. “The tire wear is also extreme, I think we’re cording tires in three or four laps. … hopefully the track will lay some more rubber.’’

Busch Light Pole Qualifying is set for 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday (Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

REDDICK’S UPDATED TITLE APPROACH

A four-time road course winner, NASCAR Cup Series championship leader, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick certainly has proven himself a threat to win on venues such as this weekend’s Naval Base Coronado 3.4-mile circuit. But after winning the last three races, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin has cut Reddick’s one-time 100-points plus lead atop the championship standings to only 19 points as the field takes Sunday’s green flag. And Reddick conceded this week he is approaching the race weekend slightly differently now than he may have a month ago.

“It’ been something that’s for sure,’’ said Reddick, during a visit to the world famous San Diego Zoo Thursday. “I don’t think any of us took for granted the amount of points lead we had a month ago. We’re still doing a good job of leading laps, I think in the last month we’ve led more laps than anyone else, just unfortunately haven’t found a way to win.

“It just goes to show when you get really hot and someone goes on a tear and wins a lot of races, they can score a lot of points in a short amount of time. Just taking all that in and understanding that when we get to the Chase it’s going to be super important to capitalize on the days you have race-winning speed because you can put a gap on the field.”

As for his confidence and optimism when it comes to road courses, in particular while trying to maintain his points lead Reddick said, “Where are heads were a month ago coming into this race was like, ‘we’ll try to just see how competitive we are, if fast enough win the race.’ Now just have to be a bit more honest with ourselves and figure out which side of it we’re going to be on when we get in the race on Sunday.

“If we’re strong enough on speed to go for the race win or are we just a little off and if we are, have to be honest and go for stage points. We’ll see how we navigate the next two weeks.’’

Reddick was 11th fastest in Friday’s opening practice session and Hamlin was 14th on the speed chart after several drivers turned in faster qualifying practice runs in the closing minutes.

FROM FORMULA ONE TO NASCAR – MAGNUSSEN IN PROJECT 91

Former Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen is walking around the San Diego paddock with an easy smile and a steely determination – eager to make his NASCAR debut Sunday in the Trackhouse Racing No. 91 Project 91 Chevrolet.

Shane Van Gisbergen has set the bar high for these esteemed Project 91 drivers, the New Zealander and Australian SuperCar Champion won on the Chicago Steet Course in his very first NASCAR Cup Series start in July, 2023.

The 33-year-old Danish driver Magnussen last raced fulltime in 2024 for the Haas Formula One team and has a versatile resume that includes starts in sportscars and IndyCars too. 

“I’ve always been fascinated, and I always loved NASCAR,’’ Magnussen said. “My dad (sportscar champion Jan Magnussen) had a little bit of experience with NASCAR, probably 15 years ago or so now, and did a race. He was testing for Hendrick and doing some work there. I was speaking to him, and he loved it so much and had such a great experience.

“And just for me as a racing driver, to be able to take part in NASCAR and have an experience there is just going to be great. I think, as I said, it’s a big privilege to have that chance. Not many European drivers get that opportunity, so I’m very thankful and privileged to be here.”

Asked about this new brand of close-quarter, fender-rubbing racing NASCAR presents, Magnussen laughed about having to adapt and race with his “elbows out,” insisting, “They’re always out.

“I think from what I know about NASCAR, it’s tough racing. And, you know, the way the sporting rules are around racing each other is much more lenient than in European racing. So, yeah, that’s part of what I have to get used to. I got a message from Jenson Button, who also did some races here and he said, be careful and be aware … they’ll turn you around if they have any part of the track on your side. So, yeah, I think I’ll just take it all in and try and enjoy all of it.”

“Couldn’t think of a form or motorsports I wouldn’t try,’’ Magnussen added with a smile.

As for expectations, Magnussen said, he’s just really open. He was a respectable 29th among the 39 cars in Friday’s opening practice.

“I don’t know what to expect,’’ he said. “I expect to do my best and push the limits; try and get a feeling for the car as soon as I can. We don’t have a lot of practice. … I’ll just have to try and get going as smooth and as quick as possible.”

LOVE TO WOOD BROTHERS

In major midseason news, the renowned Wood Brothers Racing team announced this week that reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love will join the team in 2027 as the fulltime driver, succeeding the team’s current driver Josh Berry in the No. 21 Ford.

The famed Wood Brothers team has held a longtime alliance with the powerhouse multi-car Penske Racing team and Berry earned the team’s 101st victory last year at Las Vegas. The team’s driver roster has included racing Hall of Famers from A.J. Foyt to Cale Yarborough, from David Pearson to Bill Elliott.

The 21-year-old Californian Love comes to the new job fresh off the 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship year. He’s currently second in the series’ title run now, driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

“Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing is truly an honor,” said Love, who has made seven NASCAR Cup Series starts with a best finish of 24th driving for Beard Motorsports at Indianapolis last season.

“This team has played such an important role in NASCAR history, and the drivers who have sat behind the wheel of this car are some of the greatest our sport has ever seen.

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske and Ford Racing for believing in me – I’m excited to get to work, continue learning from the people around me and compete at the highest level.”

CUTTING EDGE CROSS COUNTRY LOGISTICS

Some in the NASCAR industry got a huge boost in the challenging cross-country logistics required to hold a triple-header NASCAR race weekend more than 3000 miles from the sport’s Charlotte, North Carolina home base.

Kratos Defense and Security Systems Inc. – along with Champion Tire & Wheel – helped lead the automated transportation of equipment used this weekend in San Diego.

The Kratos system “pairs a human-driven lead truck with an automated follower vehicle using synchronized steering, braking and speed control.’’  The system used shared GPS, onboard sensors and vehicle controls to control the driver-less vehicle behind.

“Last year proved the concept – this year demonstrated scalable execution,” said Maynard Factor, Vice President of Business Development at Kratos.