INDYCAR: WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICIALLY JOINS THE 2026 CALENDAR

The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series will feature a brand-new and highly symbolic event: for the first time ever, IndyCars will race on the streets of Washington, D.C. A long-standing goal pursued by Roger Penske has now become reality, with the announcement made at the White House following the signing of an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The race will take place on a temporary street circuit laid out in the heart of the nation’s capital, scheduled for the weekend of August 23, 2026. The event carries strong historical significance, as it will be part of the official celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

Event operations will be overseen directly by IndyCar, working in coordination with a dedicated task force involving the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C. One notable aspect is that admission will be free for spectators, while from a sporting perspective the race will become the sixth street circuit on the IndyCar calendar.

In an official statement, Trump highlighted the symbolic importance of the initiative: “IndyCar racing is a source of pride and entertainment for our nation, and I am pleased to announce the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., the first automobile race ever to be held in the capital of the United States.”

Washington’s addition to the schedule further confirms how IndyCar is moving in parallel with NASCAR in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The stock car series will honor the nation in June with a brand-new event at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California.

© Cavalieri Garage & Co.