Everything You Need to Know About the America’s Freedom 250 IndyCar Race

The pinnacle of open-wheel racing in the United States will see a brand-new event added to the IndyCar championship. The 18-race series will end with five consecutive races through August to the start of September, but right in the middle of that stretch is an all-new street circuit on the streets of Washington, D.C.

Scheduled for August 22-23, 2026, the race will be known as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., marking the first-ever auto race held on the National Mall and the historic streets of the nation’s capital. The event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and fans can attend for free.

How the Race Came to Be

Earlier this year, to formalize the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Celebrating American Greatness with American Motor Racing.”

With backing from Chief of Protocol of the United States Ambassador Monica Crowley, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, all parties wanted the race to serve as a celebration of the occasion.

“The story of America is one of vision, courage, perseverance – and speed,” shared Crowley, President Trump’s representative for America’s 250th. “What better way to showcase our exceptional American spirit than by hosting the Grand Prix in our nation’s capital during our 250th birthday year!

“Presidents Washington and Jefferson marked notable celebrations with spirited horse races; the Freedom 250 race will bring that historic tradition into the 21st century and renew a tremendous sense of patriotic pride.”

The Track Layout

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit will feature seven corners across a 1.7-mile layout. Drivers will turn onto 9th Street before swooping past the National Archives, followed by a sharp right-hand turn next to the National Gallery of Art.

After a short straight, Turn 5 leads onto Independence Avenue, where the Hirshhorn Museum and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum are located. Drivers will then navigate a slight bend before braking for Turn 7 onto 3rd Street, with the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol Building in view.

Two-time IndyCar champion and back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden heaped praise on the track layout, stating: “This circuit is unlike any other street race we’ve seen. You’ve got a high‑speed section down Pennsylvania Avenue that will reward commitment and precision, mixed with technical corners around 9th Street that will demand respect.

“Racing through the heart of American history, with those amazing landmarks lining the course, is going to be incredibly powerful. I can’t wait to be back here to race and celebrate America’s birthday at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.”

Watch on FOX 

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FOX, with the network enhancing coverage as one of its “marquee events honoring” America’s 250th anniversary. 

FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks shared, “This is so much more than another sporting event on the calendar. It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and competitive spirit that helped build America.

“The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, racing through a monument-filled course in the heart of Washington, D.C., will be a centerpiece of the celebrations honoring our nation’s 250th birthday. FOX Sports is incredibly proud to help bring this historic moment to fans across the country.”

Monumental Sports Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and Washington Capitals (NHL), will support the event as its official marketing, sponsorship, and corporate hospitality sales partner, helping generate as much attention as possible for race weekend.