President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order officially greenlighting the Freedom250 Grand Prix, an unprecedented IndyCar street race set to take place in Washington, D.C., as a centerpiece celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The historic event will mark the first time IndyCar has ever raced on the streets of the nation’s capital, bringing high-speed American innovation, engineering excellence, and patriotic spectacle directly to the heart of the federal government.
The executive order, signed January 30, 2026, directs federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Department of Transportation, Secret Service, and D.C. government to coordinate logistics, security, road closures, and permitting for the race. The Freedom250 Grand Prix is planned as a 250-lap IndyCar event on a street circuit incorporating iconic D.C. landmarks, with the exact route still under final review but expected to feature sections near the National Mall, Pennsylvania Avenue, and key monuments to maximize patriotic visibility.
Trump described the race as “a roaring tribute to American greatness” in remarks after signing the order.
The event is being organized in partnership with IndyCar, Penske Entertainment, and a newly formed Freedom250 Commission, with major corporate sponsors already committing support. Organizers aim to hold the race in late June or early July 2026 to align with Independence Day celebrations, drawing an estimated 200,000–300,000 spectators along the circuit and millions more via broadcast.
