President Donald Trump's MAGA inner circle — including his son Eric and his close aide Natalie Harp — gathered in the heart of Washington Sunday to watch a first-of-its-kind IndyCar race roar to life around the capitol.
Trump waved the green flag to start the 147-lap race shortly after 1 p.m. He was cheered on by First Lady Melania Trump — a rare public outing for the couple, which also saw them drive the circuit in the presidential motorcade.
Other MAGA allies, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and House Speaker Mike Johnson, were spotted at the grid.
Harp, who has been the subject of intense public scrutiny over her close relationship with the president, was seen with his son, Eric.
The race is part of the official celebrations to mark America's 250th Anniversary and turned out "much bigger than we ever thought possible," Trump told Fox News earlier Sunday.
Some 25 drivers, including series champion Alex Palou and Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist, are taking part in the race, which is 250 miles, with cars reaching speeds of 180mph.
The race caps off America’s 250 celebrations, which have also included a UFC cage match at the White House and a Great American State Fair in the capital.
Key Points
- Freedom 250 Grand Prix track map
- How to watch the race
- America 250 Grand Prix kicks off today in Washington
- What is the difference between IndyCar and F1?
'It's an inredible day,' First Lady Melania Trump says of Freedom 250 Grand Prix
19:45 , Isabel KeaneFirst Lady Melania Trump attended the Freedom 250 Grand Prix alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, on Sunday.
“It’s an incredible day,” she told Fox News. “I think everybody did an amazing job. D.C., IndyCar and Fox Corporation — and it is wonderful to have them here.”
.@FLOTUS: "It's an incredible day. I think everybody did an amazing job — D.C., @IndyCar, @FOXSports — and it is wonderful to have them here." 🏁 pic.twitter.com/cPUgpL6Xon
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 23, 2026
David Malukas out after crashing into wall
19:18 , Isabel KeaneDavid Malukas was removed from the race after taking a big hit from Sting Ray Robb and crashing into the wall.
The accident took place during the 36th lap, according to Fox Sports.
Malukas was evaluated at the medical center and released.
DAVID MALUKAS IS OUT 😬
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 23, 2026
Sting Ray Robb was also collected in the incident on Lap 36. pic.twitter.com/6NV8PJp7uZ
Kirkwood holds lead on lap 25
19:01 , Isabel KeaneDriver Kyle Kirkwood was in the lead, pacing ahead of series champion Alex Palou on lap 25.
Kirkwood held steady in first for the 25th lap, which took place just before 2 p.m. Eastern.
Kyle Kirkwood leads Alex Palou back to racing on Lap 25. pic.twitter.com/Z19AR2DoxE
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 23, 2026
Trump and Melania pictured alongside IndyCar drivers
18:59 , Isabel KeaneWe welcome the President of the United States to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. pic.twitter.com/H7G6bd0Qqz
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 23, 2026
Eric Trump seen chatting with Natalie Harp ahead of race
18:41 , Isabel KeaneVideo shared online showed President Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, chatting with the president’s close aide, Natalie Harp, ahead of the race.
Eric Trump chats with Natalie Harp as they await Donald at the Indycar race pic.twitter.com/uXIEBhBSL9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 23, 2026
President Donald Trump waves green flag to start race
18:22 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump waved the green flag to kick off the historic race just before 1:20 p.m. ET.
The flag was delivered to Trump by Medal of Honor recipients Command Sgt. Maj. Matt Williams and Col. Paris Davis.
"WE HAVE GREEN! WE ARE RACING IN THE FREEDOM 250!" 🇺🇸🏁🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Df3BHWUOvO
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 23, 2026
President and First Lady greet drivers
17:56 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump. and First Lady Melania Trump were seen greeting drivers ahead of the IndyCar race Sunday.
Officials expect about 140,000 attendees at IndyCar race
17:50 , Isabel KeaneWashington, D.C., officials say they expect approximately 140,000 spectators at the race.
The spectacle is set to begin just after 1 p.m. with President Donald Trump waving a green flag.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lap around the course in 'The Beast'
17:36 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump rode along the Freedom 250 track before the race Sunday.
The couple took a lap in “The Beast” before the race began.
🏎️🏁🇺🇸 https://t.co/wBhoV7GtTl pic.twitter.com/KYtsepkMeh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 23, 2026
Trump says IndyCar had been trying to have race in D.C. for 20 years
17:35 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump said that IndyCar owner Roger Penske had been trying to get a race in Washington, D.C., for over 20 years.
“Roger told me they’d been trying to do it for 20 years and — I think he said he was down 211 times — to try and get it done, but when he came to see Trump it got done in 15 minutes,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday.
“This turned out to be much bigger than we ever thought possible. They actually closed the bridges because so many people wanted to come,” he added.
🚨 WOW! President Trump just revealed Indycar owner Roger Penske tried 211 TIMES over 20 YEARS to get an Indycar race in DC
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 23, 2026
"But when he came to see TRUMP, it got done in 15 MINUTES" 🔥
"They actually closed the bridges, because so many people want to come—I think 350,000—and… pic.twitter.com/FpOAFTitFh
The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps march along race route
17:30 , Isabel KeaneParade laps look a little different here #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/EcBn5g1sJP
— Meyer Shank Racing (@MeyerShankRac) August 23, 2026
President Donald Trump arrives at Freedom 250 Grand Prix
17:25 , Isabel Keane
President Trump to kick off race waving a green flag
17:15 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump is expected to kick off the big event by waving a green flag at the start of the event.
The flag-waving is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET, though he and First Lady Melania Trump are expected to arrive at the event earlier.
Flyovers begin
17:00 , Isabel KeaneFlyovers began early Sunday ahead of the Freedom 250 IndyCar race.
The flyovers were scheduled to go from the South to North over the area between 3rd and 7th Streets.
Today's IndyCar flyovers are scheduled to transition the National Mall from South to North, generally over the race area (between 3rd and 7th Street).
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) August 23, 2026
10:38 Army
10:50 USMC
10:59 Navy
11:17 Coast Guard
11:32 USAF
12:20 Inter-service flyover
12:57 Inter-service flyover (National…
U.S. Air Force begins flyovers
16:55 , Isabel KeaneThree iconic Air Force bombers.
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) August 23, 2026
One unforgettable flyover above the @IndyCar #Freedom250 Grand Prix. pic.twitter.com/M8QEx1M91E
Official schedule for IndyCar race
16:45 , Isabel KeaneTomorrow's schedule
— Eric Smith (@Eric_INDYCAR) August 22, 2026
9:15 am: Warmup FS1
10:15 am: Parades Begin
10:35 am: Flyovers Begin
11:30 am: Cars To Grid
11:42 am: Driver Intros
12:20 pm: USMC Band Lap
12:37 pm: Military Address
12:52 pm: God Bless America
12:55 pm: Anthem
1:03 pm: Drivers To Cars
1:10 pm: Command
1:17… pic.twitter.com/0mLLPQpW93
Where to watch America 250 Grand Prix?
16:32 , Isabel KeaneThere are several ways Americans can tune in to watch the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Fox News will begin coverage of the event at 11:30 a.m. ET, though the event won’t officially begin until 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
For people without cable, all of the races will also be streamed on FOX ONE.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix in pictures:
16:01 , Isabel Keane
When does the Freedom 250 Grand Prix begin?
15:10 , Isabel KeaneThe IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix begins Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
However, coverage of the event is expected to begin around 11:30 a.m. ET.
Attorney General Todd Blanche lauds drop in crime ahead of IndyCar Grand Prix event
15:00 , Isabel KeaneAttorney General Todd Blanche lauded the Trump administration’s efforts to decrease crime in Washington, D.C., ahead of the IndyCar Grand Prix race Sunday afternoon.
“What you’re seeing today — a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. You saw it July 4. You’ve seen it with the Great Fair on the Mall, and it’s going off without any major security incidents, and we’re going to make sure that that stays the case, and that’s the goal,” Blance said Sunday morning in an interview with Fox News.
Blanche, who was recently confirmed by Congress, also mentioned President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to the streets of D.C. last summer, saying, “We are seeing enormous improvements in every single category of crime.”
Where will the race take place?
14:37 , Isabel KeaneThe course layout for the Freedom 250 IndyCar runs through the heart of Washington, D.C., and will take drivers past several historic institutions.
The longest straight on the course will run up Pennsylvania Avenue, then take drivers past the National Gallery of Art, which has added reinforcements to protect its work from the vibrations caused by the race.
Drivers will also pass the Canadian Embassy, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Archives, the National Mall as well as the National Air and Space Museum.
During the race, drivers will loop around the course 147 times, totaling in about 250 miles.
Watch: IndyCar takes to DC streets for Freedom 250 Grand Prix, thrilling fans
13:00 , Ariana BaioDC airport will pause flights today
12:00 , Ariana BaioThe Federal Aviation Administration is pausing flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for several hours today as the nation’s capital celebrates the Freedom 250 Grand Prix with flyovers and other events.
Between at least 10:15 a.m. ET and 1:15 p.m. ET, flights will be paused. That is subject to change.
The FAA is asking travelers to check their flight status with their airlines.
‘It’s stuff that you dream of’: IndyCar drivers hail historic DC race
11:00 , Noah TristerEven for experienced IndyCar drivers, competing on a circuit set against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol proves remarkable.
"We get to race at a lot of cool cities, but this one is by far the best that we've ever had, and I can say that very truthfully," Kyle Kirkwood noted on Friday. "Going by the Capitol building, the views here, all the architecture of all the buildings around here, all the museums, it's stuff that you dream of.
"It's a serious honor and privilege,” Kirkwood said.
“As a boy from the Netherlands that just got his green card, it is really cool,” said Rinus VeeKay, who has six top-10 finishes this season. “We didn't get too much U.S. history in school ... but learning so much about it here, seeing all the monuments and museums and just how every building kind of has a special purpose here around the city, is very cool. Getting to see the White House, this is stuff you see in movies.”
In Photos: The Qualifying round
09:00 , Ariana Baio
Watch: Heavy security in place for IndyCar race in D.C.
07:30 , Ariana BaioMcLaren Racing CEO hopes Freedom 250 event will be commercial success
06:00 , Ariana BaioZak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, said he hopes the Freedom 250 Grand Prix delivers lasting commercial success to IndyCar.
“This is, I mean, it's a massive event for IndyCar commercially,” Brown told FOX Sports, according to Motorsport
“I think this is going to bring a lot of awareness to IndyCar for new fans. And I think when they tune in, they're going to love it. The amount of executives we have here is phenomenal, so I'm already hoping there's a year two, but I guess let's get through year one first.”
Mike Johnson wants to make IndyCar race an annual event
16:28 , Isabel KeaneHouse Speaker Mike Johnson said he hopes to make the Freedom 250 Grand Prix an annual event.
“There’ll be 130,000 people out here, and they capped it for security. We could’ve had a million people here,” Johnson said on Fox News Sunday morning.
“I want to bring it back next year; I want to make it an annual event so we’ll see if we can,” he added.
Mike Johnson says he wants to make the downtown DC Indycar race "an annual event ... I'll be pushing for that" pic.twitter.com/Z46zJrjPuG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 23, 2026
'Very bumpy': Driver explains what it's like on the DC circuit
04:30 , Ariana BaioAlex Palou, one of the drivers competing in the Freedom 250 IndyCar qualifiers, described the D.C. track as “super fun” but “very bumpy.”
“It’s very bumpy. There’s some big bumps right here and there but super fun,” Palou told FOX Saturday after several practice rounds.
Palou said the largest bumps were headed on turn two and turn six.
Louis Foster, another driver, lost control of his car briefly after hitting a bump on turn six. His car hit one of the walls, damaging the front of the car.
Watch: Hot laps around the Freedom 250 Grand Prix course
03:00 , Ariana BaioFormer Biden staffer cheers for IndyCar race
02:00 , Ariana BaioRon Klain, former President Joe Biden’s chief of staff, praised the IndyCar race taking place in the nation’s capital this weekend, telling Politico’s “Playbook” he was “glad” to see the race.
“It's an amazing sport because it combines the heroism, courage and skill of the drivers, and then the amazing technological achievements of the cars,” Klain, a massive fan of racing, told Politico.
But when asked about Trump’s efforts to get the race in D.C., Klain praised Penske – the company leading the sponsorships of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
“Not only the leading sponsor of the sport and leading advocate of the sport, but now the custodian of the sport’s greatest site, the international Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Klain said.
In photos: Spectators watch practice rounds of Freedom 250 Grand Prix
01:00 , Ariana Baio
Grand Prix causes inconveniences in downtown DC
Sunday 23 August 2026 00:30 , Ariana BaioBusiness was not as usual in downtown Washington, D.C., Saturday as drivers participating in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix took practice laps around the circuit, the New York Times reported.
Road closures have caused heavy traffic in the nation’s capital. On X, some commuters complained about the detours backing up cars for miles. One man described the scene as “a zoo” and said he couldn’t drive more than a block within 10 minutes.
As drivers zipped around the circuit, doing practice rounds, the sound of the loud engines made it difficult to hear on-air reporters. NPR Correspondent Ava Berger wrote on an X post, “I can confirm: it’s loud.”
The National Gallery of Art, one of the sights that drivers will pass by on the circuit, conducted vibration studies and put up protective panels to reduce the exposure to outdoor sculptures, the New York Times said.
Airlines have had to reroute flights for the event. At least one school within the exclusion zone was forced to go fully remote as a result of the event.
Here's the full starting line up for Sunday's race
Saturday 22 August 2026 23:32 , Rhian LubinFull Freedom 250 Grand Prix starting lineup:
Starting position
Driver
1. Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
2. Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Honda
3. Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet
4. Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
5. Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing Honda
6. David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet
7. Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
8. Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
9. Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
10. Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing Honda
11. Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet
12. Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
13. Will Power, Andretti Global Honda
14. Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
15. Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global Honda
16. Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet
17. Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
18. Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
19. Rinus VeeKay, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
20. Mick Schumacher, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
21. Romain Grosjean, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
22. Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet
23. Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
24. Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
25. Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Alex Palou wins pole position for Sunday's race
Saturday 22 August 2026 23:26 , Rhian LubinAlex Palou has won the pole position for Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.
The founding pole sitter 🥇
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 22, 2026
Alex Palou takes the NTT P1 Award in Washington, D.C. for the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix! pic.twitter.com/9TLEh1BVTz
Qualifiers: Round 2 results
Saturday 22 August 2026 23:00 , Ariana Baio1. Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Honda
2. Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet
3. Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
4. Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing Honda
5. David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet
6. Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
Qualifiers: Round 1, Group 2 results
Saturday 22 August 2026 22:45 , Ariana Baio1. David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet
2. Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet
3. Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
4. Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet
5. Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
6. Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Qualifiers: Round 1, Group 1 results
Saturday 22 August 2026 22:30 , Ariana Baio1. Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Honda
2. Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing Honda
3. Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
4. Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
5. Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
6. Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing Honda
FBI director meets with DC field office ahead of Grand Prix
Saturday 22 August 2026 22:00 , Ariana BaioFBI Director Kash Patel said Saturday he met with the command post out of the Washington Field Office ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and touted safety measures put into place.
“FBI has a huge presence here to keep this event safe - nearly 400 personnel dedicated between Headquarters and President Trump’s DC ‘Safe and Beautiful Task Force’ to manage the security lift,” Patel wrote on X.
Among those helping keep the event safe are the Critical Incident Response team, multiple intelligence components and the Command Post operators. Patel said SWAT was on standby as well.
Stopping by FBI’s Command Post out of our Washington Field Office - as we cap off America 250 with another historic event here in DC, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, expected to draw over 100,000 spectators daily from across the country and around the world.@FBI has a huge presence… pic.twitter.com/FjxyUm437y
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 22, 2026
Qualifying round to begin soon
Saturday 22 August 2026 21:55 , Ariana BaioDrivers are getting ready to compete in the qualifying round of the Freedom 250 IndyCar series to determine the order for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.
Drivers will have six minutes to post the fastest lap time that they can. The driver with the fastest time will secure a position closer to the front for Sunday’s race.
The qualifying round is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET.
DC manhole covers have been 'welded down' to keep spectators safe - Sec Burgum
Saturday 22 August 2026 21:30 , Rhian LubinSecretary of Interior Doug Burgum says that manhole covers are being “welded down” in Washington, D.C. to ensure spectators and drivers are kept safe during Sunday’s race.
Burgum says that the IndyCar Series team and Freedom 250 have “taken every precaution” to keep people safe, including “making sure they’re welding the manhole covers down so they don’t get sucked up like a vacuum when these cars come flying over the top of them, he told NewsMax.
Burgum says that manhole covers are being "welded down" in DC to keep people safe during tomorrow's IndyCar race pic.twitter.com/b7mJ8NkflJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 22, 2026
How the National Gallery is protecting priceless artworks ahead of the race
Saturday 22 August 2026 21:00 , Rhian LubinThe National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. has taken steps to protect artwork from “extensive vibrations” ahead of President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
NASCAR and IndyCar racing legends will reach speeds of up to 185 mph during the race in the heart of the nation’s capital, in and around museums and government buildings, including the famed art gallery.
The National Gallery, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits in the middle of the 1.7-mile-long racecourse, and the institution is not taking any chances when it comes to looking after the tens of thousands of valuable artworks it houses, The Washington Post reported.
Read on...
DC gallery moves to protect artwork from Freedom 250 Grand Prix
Freedom 250 Grand Prix track map
Saturday 22 August 2026 20:30 , Rhian LubinThe route, a 1.7 mile loop, will take drivers past the Capitol, Washington Monument and National Archives, according to a map provided by the event’s organizers.
A total of 147 laps will be completed, making for a total distance of about 250 miles. Seven turns are included in the route.
Take a look below.
In pictures: Crowds spectate IndyCar drivers warming up in DC
Saturday 22 August 2026 20:00 , Rhian Lubin
What is the difference between IndyCar and F1?
Saturday 22 August 2026 19:21 , Rhian LubinF1 and IndyCar share similarities, but they also have major differences. The main differences involve where they race, the circuit types, and the cars themselves.
IndyCar races mostly take place in the U.S., with an annual circuit in Toronto, Canada. F1, by contrast, saw its 2026 season span 24 races across 21 countries.
Drivers both race on the road and some street courses, but only IndyCar races on oval circuits. “IndyCars run continuous high-speed laps with almost no braking, while F1 lap times are shaped by a mix of high-speed straights and technical cornering sections,” Red Bull explains.
Examples of IndyCar courses include permanent road courses (Barber Motorsports Park, Road America), street circuits (Long Beach, Detroit), short ovals (Phoenix Raceway, Milwaukee Mile) and superspeedway ovals (Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway), per FOX Sports.
The cars look similar, but they are vastly different.
While F1 cars are generally shorter and lower (an F1 car is approximately 5.6 meters long and 2 meters wide), an IndyCar is longer at around 5.1 meters. IndyCars are narrower at approximately 1.9 meters, according to Red Bull. “F1 cars also sit closer to the ground due to their more aggressive aerodynamic packaging.”
F1 cars are typically faster on street circuits while IndyCar dominates on oval circuits, Red Bull notes.
Technical regulations are also different. Every IndyCar team has the same car and the same base components. “In INDYCAR, it’s all about taking the same pieces of a puzzle and making a prettier picture. Or, in this case, a faster car!” FOX Sports notes.
But in F1, every year, each team designs and builds its own car from scratch. While certain regulations need to be followed, “there is more freedom to innovate and differentiate” in F1.
Another major difference? How much top drivers earn. A top F1 driver can earn over $50 million per season, according to Red Bull, while elite IndyCar drivers earn closer to $2-5 million per year.
There are just a few of the similarities and differences between F1 and IndyCar.
Kyle Kirkwood fastest on first laps of new Washington street course
Saturday 22 August 2026 16:40 , Erin KellerKyle Kirkwood topped the first practice session on the new 1.7-mile, seven-turn Washington, D.C., street circuit, posting a fastest lap of 57.3744 seconds at 106.668 mph.
Drivers spent the 90-minute session getting a feel for the new track ahead of Sunday’s 250-mile race.
What a first drive around The District 🤩 pic.twitter.com/VgCm7hlZSY
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 22, 2026
'D.C. is now a racetrack!'
Saturday 22 August 2026 16:20 , Erin KellerThe Freedom 250 begins in wet conditions, with drivers initially needing rain tires as the track starts to dry.
Streets are closed ⛔️
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 22, 2026
D.C. is now a racetrack! 🟢 pic.twitter.com/8ktECz5e1D
Freedom 250 draws corporate sponsors with Trump ties
Saturday 22 August 2026 15:58 , Erin KellerThe Freedom 250 Grand Prix has drawn major corporate sponsors including Boeing, SpaceX’s Starlink, Delta, Amazon, Shell, General Motors and Verizon – another example of the blurred lines between the Trump administration and corporate America, Politico reports.
Many of the major sponsors are getting prominent advertising along the 1.7-mile course, where cars will reach speeds of up to 180 mph.
The event is expected to draw around 140,000 people each day, with corporate executives, administration officials and lawmakers expected to mix at sponsor hospitality suites along the course.
WATCH: Hot laps around the Freedom 250 Grand Prix course
Saturday 22 August 2026 15:38 , Erin KellerCorvette Z06s were giving thrill rides Friday around the Freedom 250 racetrack ahead of this weekend’s event
DC could host more street races in the future
Saturday 22 August 2026 15:00 , Brendan RasciusThis weekend’s Grand Prix may not be the last street race to come to the nation’s capital.
At a press conference last month, Mayor Muriel Bowser said she was “very serious” about bringing additional races to Washington, D.C., according to The Washington Examiner.
“We have spent 12 years leaning into our sports and entertainment economy, and it’s a part of our economy that is operating very well,” Bowser said on July 29. “We want to obviously make the world know that D.C. is the place for world-class sporting events.”
‘Is that Epstein?’ Head-scratching AI pic teasing Trump’s DC Grand Prix has folks wondering who’s who
Saturday 22 August 2026 14:00 , Brendan RasciusThe Trump administration drew a wave of mockery after posting an AI-generated image that some social media users claimed featured characters bearing an uncanny resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein and Hillary Clinton.
On Wednesday, the Department of Education shared a Mario Kart–style promotional graphic supposedly depicting President Donald Trump, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy tearing around a racecourse in Washington, D.C.
The image was meant to promote the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar series event scheduled for the National Mall this weekend as part of the nation’s 250th-birthday festivities. “Stay tuned for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix THIS WEEKEND,” the caption states.
Brendan Rascius reports...
Trump administration AI pic mocked for Epstein and Clinton lookalikes
How to watch the race
Saturday 22 August 2026 13:30 , Brendan RasciusThe main race, scheduled for Sunday, will air live on Fox and is expected to last roughly two and a half hours.
General-admission tickets for in-person viewing were offered free to the public but are no longer available, according to NPR. Mayor Muriel Bowser said more than 140,000 spectators are expected to gather around the National Mall to watch the race.
National Gallery moves to protect artwork from Trump’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix vibrations
Saturday 22 August 2026 13:00 , Brendan RasciusThe National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. has taken steps to protect artwork from “extensive vibrations” ahead of President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
NASCAR and IndyCar racing legends will reach speeds of up to 185 mph during the race in the heart of the nation’s capital, in and around museums and government buildings, including the famed art gallery.
The National Gallery, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits in the middle of the 1.7-mile-long racecourse, and the institution is not taking any chances when it comes to looking after the tens of thousands of valuable artworks it houses, The Washington Post reports.
IN PHOTOS: Downtown DC is turned into a high-speed race track
Saturday 22 August 2026 12:30 , Brendan RasciusPhotos show organizers converting the streets of downtown Washington, D.C., into a high-speed race track ahead of this weekend’s events.
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How much does the race cost?
Saturday 22 August 2026 11:30 , Brendan RasciusThe two-day event required D.C. streets to be converted into a temporary race circuit and carries a price tag of more than $35 million, according to CNN.
IndyCar paid the full cost, while Washington has drawn on a separate $90 million fund for security and emergency planning.
America 250 Grand Prix kicks off today in Washington
Saturday 22 August 2026 11:05 , Brendan RasciusThe America 250 Grand Prix, a two-day high-speed IndyCar racing event, kicks off today in Washington, D.C.
Gates will open at 8 a.m. E.T. on Saturday, according to CNN. The day’s events will include practice races and qualifying rounds.
The main 147-lap race will take place tomorrow, and it is expected to be attended by President Trump.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix track map
Friday 21 August 2026 19:12 , Brendan RasciusThe route, a 1.7 mile loop, will take drivers past the Capitol, Washington Monument and National Archives, according to a map provided by the event’s organizers.
A total of 147 laps will be completed, making for a total distance of about 250 miles. Seven turns are included in the route.
