At first, it appeared like a joke or wishful considering, however the idea of a 2026 IndyCar road race in Washington D.C. is now very actual.
United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy posted an AI-generated video final week, depicting IndyCar racing across the Nationwide Mall. U.S. President Donald Trump shared the video and expressed help for the thought, wanting it as a part of celebrations for the nation’s 250th birthday.
On Friday, President Trump signed an govt order confirming plans for a race, calling it the ‘Freedom 250.’ He’s instructing the town’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, to work along with his administration on placing the race collectively. The Inside and Transportation departments will probably be tasked with designing the observe format alongside IndyCar, and discovering the funding for the race.
The plan is to carry the race on the weekend of August 21-23, between beforehand scheduled races in Markham, Ontario and the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin. It will likely be a logistical problem and a good deadline to prepare such an occasion within the coronary heart of the nation, and there is the plain problem of ads being banned on Capitol grounds.
“IndyCar racing is a supply of delight and leisure for our Nation, which is why I’m happy to announce the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.” mentioned President Trump. “This race, the primary motor race ever to be held in our Nation’s capital close to the Nationwide Mall, will showcase the majesty of our nice metropolis as drivers navigate a observe round our iconic nationwide monuments in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
He continued: “For over 100 years, American IndyCar racing has set the tempo for motorsports. With speeds topping over 200 miles per hour, the automobiles and drivers encourage awe and respect in all who watch this quintessentially American sport.”
Added Mayor Bowser in an official assertion: “Quickly-to-be the house of each main sports activities franchise, Washington, D.C. is the undisputed Sports activities Capital. However we don’t cease there and work to draw main occasions. That’s why I’m thrilled to welcome the Freedom 250 to the Nation’s Capital this August. The race weekend will rev up the financial engine of D.C. by filling our lodges and eating places and by displaying guests, residents and the sports activities world that there’s no higher metropolis, folks and backdrop for main sports activities occasions. I invite all sports activities followers to come back benefit from the Freedom 250 and all that Washington, D.C. has to supply.”
Penske joins Trump for EO signing
Donald Trump indicators govt order
Picture by: Alex Wong by way of Getty Photographs
Trump awarded Roger Penske the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, and he joined Trump within the Oval Workplace for the signing of this govt order. Trump believes the race may “set a report” with regard to attendance figures, as will probably be open to the general public. Eric Shanks, the CEO of FOX Sports activities, was additionally there alongside Penske and Trump.
“For us as an organization, to help the 250th anniversary for the nation, and there is no higher manner for us to deliver automotive and pace into the D.C. space, and to have the chance to have the ability to compete right here with our IndyCars,” mentioned Penske within the Oval Workplace. We personal the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and we’re taking that historical past of over 100 years and the pace and what’s taken place there with the totally different producers, and bringing it right here for this race. It will likely be wonderful. Definitely the Freedom 250, when you consider it, it is only a byproduct of what the president has carried out this 12 months, and this occasion will clearly be in August, which is able to make an enormous distinction. We’re excited for folks to see it. A lot of the grounds will probably be free. It may be an financial profit to the realm, to the town.”
Shanks credited Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for saving this race, because it was on ‘life help’ earlier than a flurry of conferences over the previous week. He additionally thanked Secretary of the Inside Doug Burgum for his help in making this occur.
Duffy reiterated that the occasion will probably be open to the general public, saying “we wish to repeat that that is free for the American folks, to come back to your nation’s Capitol and see an awesome street race. Freedom, America, pace, and street racing, it would not get extra American than than that.”
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