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Trump Orders IndyCar Race Around National Mall for America's 250th
The president wants a race in D.C. to help celebrate the country's 250th birthday, but the challenges are massive.
Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15pm
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President Trump signed an executive order on Friday to hold a NTT IndyCar Series race through the streets of Washington, D.C., and around the National Mall in the third week of August. The race, officially named the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is scheduled for Aug. 23 and will be part of the America 250 celebrations later this year to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. on July 4, 1776. However, there are myriad and massive challenges to pulling off such an ambitious event in a short timeframe, including securing the necessary permits, building temporary infrastructure, and closing streets for an extended period.
Why it matters
This would be one of the most ambitious announcements in American motorsports history, as there has never been a professional motorsports race at the National Mall. The race is intended to showcase the majesty of Washington, D.C. and celebrate America's 250th birthday, but the logistical hurdles are significant.
The details
The executive order directs the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Transportation to designate a race route within two weeks. IndyCar said the event will be free to the public and broadcast live on FOX Sports. Several IndyCar drivers expressed excitement about the announcement, but experts warn that building a temporary racetrack and securing necessary permits and approvals in such a short timeframe will be an enormous challenge.
- The executive order was signed on Friday, January 30, 2026.
- The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. is scheduled for August 23, 2026.
- The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
The players
President Donald Trump
The President of the United States who signed the executive order to hold the IndyCar race around the National Mall.
Doug Borgum
The Secretary of the Interior who is directed by the executive order to designate a race route.
Sean Duffy
The Secretary of Transportation who is directed by the executive order to designate a race route.
Roger Penske
A legendary IndyCar team owner who commented that the event will be a "truly memorable" celebration of the country's independence and the legacy of motorsports.
Jeff Gluck
A senior motorsports writer for The Athletic who said the announcement is one of the most ambitious in American motorsports history given the short timeframe.
What they’re saying
“This race, the first motor race ever to be held in our Nation's capital near the National Mall, will showcase the majesty of our great city as drivers navigate a track around our iconic national monuments in celebration of America's 250th birthday.”
— President Donald Trump (Executive Order)
“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.”
— Roger Penske, Legendary IndyCar Team Owner (nytimes.com)
“WELL LFG!!!!!!! America250 baby!”
— Graham Rahal, IndyCar Driver (X)
“This is gonna be incredible for our sport.”
— Santino Ferrucci, IndyCar Driver (X)
“As a new American citizen I'm jacked to race around our nations capital this season!”
— Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar Driver (Twitter)
What’s next
The Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Transportation have two weeks to designate a race route for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.
The takeaway
Holding a high-speed IndyCar race around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to celebrate America's 250th birthday is an incredibly ambitious and logistically challenging undertaking. While the event could showcase the majesty of the nation's capital and the excitement of motorsports, the short timeframe to plan and execute such a complex event raises significant doubts about whether it can be pulled off successfully.
