Sports

Heim Secures Inaugural Cup Series Victory in Thrilling San Diego Race

The 2026 Anduril 250, the seventeenth points race of the season, delivered an exhilarating spectacle as NASCAR made its debut in San Diego. While Ryan Blaney and Ryan Preece each claimed a stage victory, ultimately it was a competitor from 23XI Racing who achieved a career-first triumph.

Corey Heim emerged victorious in his initial Cup Series race of 2026, held in San Diego. This notable achievement, coupled with the event's unique location on an active military installation, contributed to a strong performance in television viewership. The race garnered 2.28 million average viewers for NASCAR and Prime Video, an impressive turnout given the lack of historical comparisons for this new event format.

This landmark event showcased the growing appeal of NASCAR and its successful expansion into new venues and broadcast partnerships. The impressive viewership figures suggest a promising future for similar races, demonstrating the sport's capacity to engage a broad audience and deliver thrilling competition.