For the first time in its history, Washington, D.C. is about to host a car race. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a two-day NTT IndyCar Series event, takes over a temporary street circuit around the National Mall on August 22 and 23, with race cars expected to hit speeds close to 200 mph just blocks from the US Capitol.
Organizers say more than 200,000 people are expected to attend across the weekend, making it one of the largest single spectator events D.C. has hosted in years. The race is free to the general public, though the window to request general admission tickets has already closed, and a premium hospitality option, the Champions Club, is available for close to $5,500 per person for the weekend.
A Course Through American History
The 1.7-mile, seven-turn circuit winds past some of the country's most recognizable landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Capitol's west façade, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives. Its longest straightaway runs nearly half a mile down Pennsylvania Avenue, a stretch normally capped at 25 mph that drivers will take at speeds approaching 200 mph during the race itself.
Sunday's main event covers 147 laps for a total of roughly 250 miles, honoring the country's 250th anniversary. Saturday features exhibition races featuring NASCAR and IndyCar legends including Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves, competing in vintage IROC-spec Pontiac Firebirds.
How It Came Together
The race traces back to a January executive order signed by President Trump, directing the Departments of Transportation and the Interior to design a race route through the National Mall as part of the broader America250 semiquincentennial celebrations, which have already included a UFC card on the White House lawn and a nationwide fireworks show. Motorsports company Penske is organizing and funding the event, with any profits reportedly going to local charities.
Organizers have described it as a one-time event tied specifically to the anniversary rather than the start of an annual D.C. fixture. "This is a one-time-only event, because we're celebrating the country's 250th one time," event chair and Penske Corp. president Bud Denker said.
What To Expect On Race Day
The buildout has already reshaped downtown D.C. for the week, with road closures, Metrobus detours and restricted access to some museums near the Mall. The FAA has said it will pause flights at nearby Reagan National Airport for three hours during Sunday's race. For anyone not attending in person, the race will air live nationally on FOX starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 23.