NASCAR drivers visit San Diego Zoo ahead of historic Coronado Naval Base race

Two NASCAR drivers from 23XI Racing visited the San Diego Zoo ahead of the inaugural NASCAR San Diego Weekend at Naval Base Coronado. Tyler Reddick and Corey Heim, accompanied by teams and families, toured the park to see pandas, sloths, lions, and other wildlife, ending the day with a private presentation on cheetahs and sloths. Reddick enters the weekend as the Cup Series standings leader, while Heim, the Camping World Truck Series champion, will make a Cup Series start in the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing. 23XI, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, derives its name from Jordan’s jersey number (23) and Hamlin’s long-held No. 11. San Diego Zoo, a longtime community landmark, houses more than 3,700 animals on about 100 acres in Balboa Park, underscoring the city’s role as host for the event. The NASCAR San Diego Weekend is planned at Naval Base Coronado, highlighting the cross-section of racing and military installations. The visit underscored promotional synergy as drivers prepare for the weekend’s events and engage with local fans ahead of the historic race at the base.