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INDYCAR To Deliver First Motor Race in History on the National Mall
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (Friday, Jan. 30, 2026) – An executive order signed today
by President Donald J. Trump directed the White House Task Force on
Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday to designate a race route through
Washington, D.C. and the National Mall for the purposes of conducting an
NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on August 21-23, 2026. The event will recognize
the historic milestone of America’s independence in addition to
celebrating the unparalleled tradition and legacy of America’s
motorsports industry.
“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.” said President Trump via 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 full executive order can be viewed here: Executive Orders – The White House.
The event will be administered by INDYCAR in coordination with the
taskforce, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of the
Interior, and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor.
“For over one hundred years, American INDYCAR racing has set the pace
for motorsports,” President Trump continued. “With speeds topping
over 200 miles per hour, the cars and drivers inspire awe and respect in
all who watch this quintessentially American sport.”
For more than a century, INDYCAR has hosted the iconic Indianapolis 500
Mile Race on the Sunday before Memorial Day, annually the world’s
largest single-day spectator sporting event. “The Greatest Spectacle
in Racing” serves as a singular and powerful tribute to the United
States Armed Forces, with a crowd of more than 350,000 people gathering
to show respect and gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our
military heroes. Legends of INDYCAR span multiple generations from
racing greats like Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt to the stars of today
like four-time SERIES champion Alex Palou and two-time Indy 500 winner
Josef Newgarden.
“President Trump has bestowed an incredible distinction upon our
sport, and we’re grateful for his trust and support as INDYCAR
prepares to honor our country with a tremendous racing spectacle,”
said Roger Penske. “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.”
“Freedom doesn’t ring, it revs! INDYCAR is about competition and
pushing limits — the same things that have always defined America,”
said United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. “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.”
“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,” said Secretary of the
Interior Doug Burgum. “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!”
“Soon-to-be the home of every major sports franchise, Washington, D.C.
is the undisputed Sports Capital,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “But we
don’t stop there and work to attract major events. That’s why I am
thrilled to welcome the Freedom 250 to the Nation’s Capital this
August. 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.”
“There’s no better place to celebrate America’s independence than
in our nation’s capital, and no better way to showcase that spirit
than through INDYCAR – a sport built on speed, innovation, and
competition,” said Eric Shanks, CEO & Executive Producer, FOX Sports.
“Bringing this race to Washington, D.C. during America’s 250th
birthday is a powerful way to honor our past while celebrating what’s
ahead, and all of us at FOX Sports couldn’t be more proud to showcase
this event to the country.”
The street circuit event will be free to the general public and include
vantage points of several majestic symbols of national pride and unity.
Like all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, it will be televised to a live
network audience via FOX Sports. More details about the course and the
event will be shared during a kickoff gathering in the coming weeks.
In addition to today’s exciting news about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., be sure to check out the Children’s of Alabama IndyCar Grand Prix, March 27-29 at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama!