Blab Sports
Justin Marks Returns to the Truck Series for Inaugural Naval Base Coronado Race
For a driver who has spent his life on the track, the chance to take the wheel again is a dream come true.
On June 19‑21, 2026, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will stage its first race on a U.S. military installation, and the event’s headline act is none other than Trackhouse Racing founder Justin Marks. The 40‑year‑old will pilot the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, with the long‑time partner Jockey – celebrating 150 years of business – as the primary sponsor.
Marks’ return marks his 40th Truck Series start. His most recent appearance was at Mid‑Ohio in 2022, and while he has never finished in the top three, he has earned two poles and a best finish of eighth. The driver’s résumé, however, extends far beyond the trucks. He has competed in all three of NASCAR’s national divisions—Cup, Xfinity, and ARCA—and captured a NASCAR O’Reilly race victory at Mid‑Ohio in 2016. In sports‑car competition, Marks tallied eight wins in the Rolex Grand‑Am series, including a class triumph at the 2009 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Trackhouse Racing, founded by Marks in 2021, has become a prolific Cup Series presence. The team boasts 15 Cup victories, highlighted by a 2025 Coca‑Cola 600 win. Its Cup entries include the No. 1 driven by Ross Chastain, the No. 88 by Connor Zilisch, and the No. 97 by Shane van Gisbergen.
Spire Motorsports, the outfit fielding the No. 77 this year, has already seen van Gisbergen and Zilisch take the wheel of its trucks during the current season. Spire president Bill Anthony said the partnership with Marks “goes back a long way” and that the team is proud to support his “tremendous impact as one of NASCAR’s best advocates and forward‑thinking leaders.”
When asked why he is returning, Marks said, “It’s a unique opportunity to drive in the inaugural Truck Series race at San Diego Naval Base. I’ll enjoy getting behind the wheel every once in a while, and I’m thankful to do it with Spire’s help and with a longtime partner like Jockey. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary and are very supportive of our military, which makes the endeavor even more special. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming race weekend and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
Jockey’s sponsorship underscores the event’s military ties. The company, celebrating 150 years of business, has a long history of supporting U.S. armed forces personnel.
The race will also feature other high‑profile Cup owners. Seven‑time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, co‑owner of Legacy Motor Club, will drive a TRICON Garage entry. Johnson’s participation adds another layer of interest to the weekend, which is already drawing attention as NASCAR expands its footprint to an active naval base.
The Naval Base Coronado race is part of NASCAR’s 2026 schedule, which blends traditional tracks with new venues. The street course at the base is 3.4 miles long and will test drivers’ skill on a paved, tight layout.
Marks’ return to the Truck Series is a nod to his roots as a driver and his continued influence as a team owner. While he has yet to secure a win in the Trucks, his experience across NASCAR’s divisions and in sports‑car racing positions him as a seasoned competitor for the event.
Over the weekend, teams will run practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race. Fans and teams will watch to see how Marks performs on the unique course and how the presence of Cup owners like Johnson and the support of sponsors such as Jockey shape the narrative of NASCAR’s evolving race calendar.
The race’s outcome will be recorded in the official NASCAR archives, and Marks’ performance will be compared to his past Truck Series results. The event also highlights the growing partnership between NASCAR and the U.S. military, a relationship that began with the 2026 Naval Base Coronado race and may influence future venue selections.
In summary, Justin Marks will drive the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the inaugural Truck Series race on Naval Base Coronado, backed by Jockey’s 150th‑anniversary sponsorship. The weekend also features Jimmie Johnson’s TRICON Garage entry, adding prestige to a race that marks a new chapter in NASCAR’s expansion to military venues.
On June 19‑21, 2026, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will stage its first race on a U.S. military installation, and the event’s headline act is none other than Trackhouse Racing founder Justin Marks. The 40‑year‑old will pilot the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, with the long‑time partner Jockey – celebrating 150 years of business – as the primary sponsor.
Marks’ return marks his 40th Truck Series start. His most recent appearance was at Mid‑Ohio in 2022, and while he has never finished in the top three, he has earned two poles and a best finish of eighth. The driver’s résumé, however, extends far beyond the trucks. He has competed in all three of NASCAR’s national divisions—Cup, Xfinity, and ARCA—and captured a NASCAR O’Reilly race victory at Mid‑Ohio in 2016. In sports‑car competition, Marks tallied eight wins in the Rolex Grand‑Am series, including a class triumph at the 2009 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Trackhouse Racing, founded by Marks in 2021, has become a prolific Cup Series presence. The team boasts 15 Cup victories, highlighted by a 2025 Coca‑Cola 600 win. Its Cup entries include the No. 1 driven by Ross Chastain, the No. 88 by Connor Zilisch, and the No. 97 by Shane van Gisbergen.
Spire Motorsports, the outfit fielding the No. 77 this year, has already seen van Gisbergen and Zilisch take the wheel of its trucks during the current season. Spire president Bill Anthony said the partnership with Marks “goes back a long way” and that the team is proud to support his “tremendous impact as one of NASCAR’s best advocates and forward‑thinking leaders.”
When asked why he is returning, Marks said, “It’s a unique opportunity to drive in the inaugural Truck Series race at San Diego Naval Base. I’ll enjoy getting behind the wheel every once in a while, and I’m thankful to do it with Spire’s help and with a longtime partner like Jockey. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary and are very supportive of our military, which makes the endeavor even more special. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming race weekend and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
Jockey’s sponsorship underscores the event’s military ties. The company, celebrating 150 years of business, has a long history of supporting U.S. armed forces personnel.
The race will also feature other high‑profile Cup owners. Seven‑time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, co‑owner of Legacy Motor Club, will drive a TRICON Garage entry. Johnson’s participation adds another layer of interest to the weekend, which is already drawing attention as NASCAR expands its footprint to an active naval base.
The Naval Base Coronado race is part of NASCAR’s 2026 schedule, which blends traditional tracks with new venues. The street course at the base is 3.4 miles long and will test drivers’ skill on a paved, tight layout.
Marks’ return to the Truck Series is a nod to his roots as a driver and his continued influence as a team owner. While he has yet to secure a win in the Trucks, his experience across NASCAR’s divisions and in sports‑car racing positions him as a seasoned competitor for the event.
Over the weekend, teams will run practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race. Fans and teams will watch to see how Marks performs on the unique course and how the presence of Cup owners like Johnson and the support of sponsors such as Jockey shape the narrative of NASCAR’s evolving race calendar.
The race’s outcome will be recorded in the official NASCAR archives, and Marks’ performance will be compared to his past Truck Series results. The event also highlights the growing partnership between NASCAR and the U.S. military, a relationship that began with the 2026 Naval Base Coronado race and may influence future venue selections.
In summary, Justin Marks will drive the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at the inaugural Truck Series race on Naval Base Coronado, backed by Jockey’s 150th‑anniversary sponsorship. The weekend also features Jimmie Johnson’s TRICON Garage entry, adding prestige to a race that marks a new chapter in NASCAR’s expansion to military venues.
