League: NASCAR Sport: Motorsports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Chaos ensues at NASCAR's San Diego street course during O'Reilly Auto Parts race

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 2:13 PM

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

Chaos ensues at NASCAR's San Diego street course during O'Reilly Auto Parts race

Summary

NASCAR's inaugural race weekend at the San Diego street course became chaotic early on during Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series event. A loose manhole cover caused a red flag prior to the completion of a lap. The situation escalated dramatically on Lap 35 when a 23-car crash resulted from a restart gone wrong. The crash left many competitors’ vehicles damaged, prompting extensive repairs and a second red flag. Drivers, including Sam Mayer, acknowledged their responsibility for the incident, with Mayer expressing regret for the impact on the field. The event's drama serves as a significant preview for the upcoming Cup Series race at the same venue.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•The race faced two red flags and a lengthy delay due to a manhole issue.
•A 23-car wreck on Lap 35 caused extensive damage and halted the race.
•Sam Mayer's crash triggered a chain-reaction collision among multiple cars.
•Repairing the retaining wall took over 43 minutes during the race.
•San Diego's street course will host a Cup Series race in the near future.

Latest Updates

2:13 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR’s Newest Street Course Delivered Instant Chaos Before the Weekend Was Even Over

What they're saying

"
NASCAR's new San Diego street course produced two red flags, wall repairs and a massive 23-car wreck that eliminated a large portion of the field during Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race.
— Yahoo Sports

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