Freedom 250 Grand Prix To Bring IndyCar Racing To Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move set to electrify the motorsports world and the nation’s capital alike, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 30, 2026, officially launching the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, a marquee NTT IndyCar Series event scheduled to take place near the National Mall this summer. The race, slated for August 21-23, 2026, will serve as a centerpiece in the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations, promising a heady mix of speed, spectacle, and patriotic pride.

The announcement, made in the storied Oval Office, brought together a high-octane cast of motorsports and government heavyweights. IndyCar owner Roger Penske, Penske Corporation President Bud Denker, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stood alongside President Trump as he committed the federal government’s support to what will be the first-ever IndyCar street race in the heart of Washington, D.C.

“IndyCar racing is a source of pride and entertainment for our Nation, which is why I am pleased to announce the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.,” President Trump declared in the executive order. “This race, the first motor race ever to be held in our Nation’s capital near the National Mall, will showcase the majesty of our great city as drivers navigate a track around our iconic national monuments in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.”

The event, to be administered by IndyCar in coordination with a special taskforce, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor, is more than just a race—it’s a statement. The race route will wind through some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks, with the Departments of Interior and Transportation tasked to select a course that highlights Washington’s grandeur. The order also directs these agencies to expedite all necessary permits and approvals, smoothing the way for a summer spectacle that’s as logistically ambitious as it is visually stunning.

For Roger Penske, who helms not only Team Penske but also the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the event is a dream realized. “For us as a company, to support the 250th anniversary for the country, and there’s no better way for us to bring automotive and speed into the D.C. area, and to have the opportunity to be able to compete here with our IndyCars,” Penske said. “We own the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and we’re taking that history of over 100 years and the speed and what’s taken place there with the different manufacturers, and bringing it here for this race. It will be amazing … We’re excited for people to see it. Most of the grounds will be free. It’s going to be an economic benefit to the area, to the city.”

That economic benefit is top of mind for city officials as well. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was quick to welcome the news, noting, “The race weekend will rev up the economic engine of D.C. by filling our hotels and restaurants and by showing visitors, residents and the sports world that there’s no better city, people and backdrop for major sports events. I invite all sports fans to come enjoy the Freedom 250 and all that Washington, D.C. has to offer.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was instrumental in promoting the idea—including sharing an AI-generated video imagining the race zipping past the Lincoln Memorial and down Pennsylvania Avenue—summed up the excitement: “Freedom doesn’t ring, it revs! IndyCar is about competition and pushing limits — the same things that have always defined America. There’s no better place to celebrate our 250th anniversary than bringing that energy to the nation’s capital and showcasing Washington, D.C. to the world.” Duffy added, “To think, 190mph down Pennsylvania Avenue. This is going to be wild.”

For racing fans, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix represents a historic first. Never before has a major American open-wheel race been staged in the shadow of the Capitol, and the logistics alone are enough to make even the most seasoned event planners break a sweat. The Department of Transportation has been authorized to coordinate with the FAA, allowing for unmanned aircraft and aerial photography to enhance the fan experience—without compromising the security of nearby government facilities. The event will fall between established IndyCar races in Ontario and at The Milwaukee Mile, making it a pivotal mid-season spectacle on the 2026 calendar.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum echoed the sense of national pride underpinning the event: “The Department of the Interior is proud to help bring the historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix to Washington, D.C. to showcase our treasured public spaces through a monumental event that captures the America spirit in the heart of our nation’s capital. Like the sport of racing itself, this administration, under President Donald J. Trump, is moving at record speed to make life better for all Americans and ensure that the United States marks its 250th birthday with the celebration that it deserves. Start your engines, America!”

The enthusiasm isn’t limited to the government and racing circles. Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, whose network holds broadcast rights for IndyCar, was present at the Oval Office for the announcement, signaling that the event will receive nationwide—and likely global—television coverage. With most of the race grounds accessible to the public free of charge, organizers are bracing for a potentially record-setting turnout. President Trump himself speculated that the race “could set a record” for attendance figures, and with the city’s hotels and restaurants expected to brim with fans, the economic impact could be significant.

Of course, with such an ambitious plan come challenges. The tight timeline—less than seven months from announcement to race day—means organizers, city officials, and federal agencies will have to move at breakneck speed. There are also logistical hurdles, such as the longstanding ban on advertisements on Capitol grounds and the need to balance security with accessibility. Still, the spirit of innovation and determination that has long defined both American motorsports and the capital city is already on full display.

“President Trump has bestowed an incredible distinction upon our sport and we’re grateful for his trust and support as IndyCar prepares to honour our country with a tremendous racing spectacle,” Penske said in a statement first reported by NBC News. “This will be a truly memorable event that celebrates our country’s independence and the legacy of patriotism, innovation and excellence that powers motorsports across America.”

As the summer approaches, anticipation is mounting. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix promises not just a thrilling race but a celebration of American ingenuity, resilience, and unity. With the world’s eyes on Washington, D.C., the stage is set for a birthday party unlike any other—one where engines roar, history is made, and the spirit of the nation takes a victory lap around its most cherished monuments.

With planning underway and the city’s streets soon to be transformed into a high-speed showcase, sports fans and patriots alike have plenty of reasons to mark their calendars for August. The countdown to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix has begun—and if the excitement in the Oval Office is any indication, this is one event that’s sure to leave a lasting mark on the capital and the country it celebrates.