Trump kicks off Freedom 250 IndyCar race in the streets of Washington, D.C.

The open-wheel race is the latest of President Trump's celebrations this year to mark America's 250th birthday.

President Donald Trump was riding in the Beast around the 1.7-mile D.C. track before waving the green flag as Álex Palou started on pole for the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

147 Laps Around the Mall: Washington Hosts Freedom 250 Street Race  WSJ

IndyCar Freedom 250 start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Washington, DC race  USA Today

Race cars roared across Washington city streets in the shadow of iconic landmarks as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, created by President Donald Trump, began with practice and qualifying.

Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen delivered the best qualifying performance of his IndyCar career on Saturday, charging into the Fast Six and securing a fourth-place starting position for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Navigating the 1.7-mile, 7-turn temporary street circuit wrapped around the National Mall, the 2

Alex Palou tops qualifying for the Freedom 250 in Washington, his 7th IndyCar pole of the season  Toronto Star

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 22: Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the #27 Sam's Club Honda drives to practice for the NTT INDYCAR Series Freedom 250 on August 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two practice sessions are in the books on the streets of the nation’s c

Here's a look at the 7-turn, 1.7-mile circuit winding through the National Mall that will test IndyCar's drivers in a marathon race.

Aug 20 : IndyCar will race through the heart of the U.S. capital this weekend, bringing open-wheel cars to a temporary circuit around the National Mall in a first-of-its-kind event tied to America's 250th anniversary celebrations.The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be contested over 147 laps covering 250 miles on a 1.7-mil