At first, it seemed like a joke or wishful thinking, but the concept of a 2026 IndyCar street race in Washington D.C. is now very real.
United States secretary of transportation Sean Duffy posted an AI-generated video last week, depicting IndyCar racing around the National Mall, which led to president Donald Trump sharing the video and he has expressed support for the idea, wanting it as part of celebrations for the USA's 250th anniversary of its independence.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order confirming plans for a race, calling it the 'Freedom 250 Grand Prix'. He is instructing the city's mayor, Muriel Bowser, to work with his administration on putting the race together. The Interior and Transportation departments will be tasked with designing the track layout alongside IndyCar, and finding the funding for the race.
The plan is to hold the race on the weekend of 21-23 August, between scheduled races in Markham, Ontario and the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin. It will be a logistical challenge and a tight deadline to organise such an event, and there's the issue of advertisements being banned on Capitol grounds.
"President Trump has bestowed an incredible distinction upon our sport and we’re grateful for his trust and support as IndyCar prepares to honour our country with a tremendous racing spectacle," IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a statement first reported by NBC News.
"This will be a truly memorable event that celebrates our country’s independence and the legacy of patriotism, innovation and excellence that powers motorsports across America."
Trump awarded Penske the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, and he joined Trump in the Oval Office for the signing of this executive order on Friday. Trump believes the race could "set a record" for attendance figures.
"For us as a company, to support the 250th anniversary for the country, and there's no better way for us to bring automotive and speed into the D.C. area, and to have the opportunity to be able to compete here with our IndyCars," Penske added.
"We own the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and we're taking that history of over 100 years and the speed and what's taken place there with the different manufacturers, and bringing it here for this race.
"It will be amazing. We're excited for people to see it. Most of the grounds will be free. It's going to be an economic benefit to the area, to the city."
