Washington, D.C. hosts the first-ever IndyCar race on the National Mall, with the Freedom 250 Grand Prix making history today. The landmark event forms part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations and brings premier open-wheel racing directly into the nation’s capital.

Drivers tackle a 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit weaving around the National Mall and passing Washington’s most recognizable historic landmarks today. One section features a 0.4-mile high-speed run along Pennsylvania Avenue, dramatically framed by the Capitol and Washington Monument landmarks today.

Saturday’s qualifying session produced seven-time pole winner Alex Palou as the fastest driver, setting a 56.899-second lap around there today. Palou starts ahead of Kyle Kirkwood, while Scott McLaughlin, Christian Rasmussen, Marcus Armstrong, and David Malukas complete the leading six.

Sunday’s main event covers 250 miles across 147 laps, creating a demanding contest through streets normally filled with traffic worldwide. Organizers expect hundreds of thousands of spectators, while free access allows fans to experience this historic motorsport weekend directly today.

Beyond racing, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix includes the return of the International Race of Champions series for motorsport legends. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to attend, with Trump expected to complete an honorary lap.

FOX will broadcast the race live, with coverage beginning before the scheduled 1 p.m. Eastern Time start Sunday afternoon live. Ultimately, Washington’s inaugural IndyCar weekend combines speed, history, national celebration, and iconic scenery for a motorsport spectacle unlike previous events.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix marks the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the National Mall and Washington, D.C. streets. The official IndyCar schedule lists the event for August 22–23, with the 1.7-mile, seven-turn circuit hosting Sunday’s 125-lap race.

Alex Palou secured pole position with a 56.899-second qualifying lap, ahead of Kyle Kirkwood, while the event forms part of America’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.

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