WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) attended a press conference on the National Mall announcing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an upcoming race that will take place in Washington, D.C., in August as part of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The race will be August 22nd and 23rd, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
The race will be free to the public, and Secretary Duffy expects more than 1 million spectators to attend. The race path is a 1.7-mile, seven-turn layout through the city of Washington, D.C.
The route includes a sweeping 0.4-mile frontstretch along Pennsylvania Avenue, framed by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The pit lane area will be on Pennsylvania Avenue, between Turns 1 and 2, on the circuit design.
See more details about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix here.
“The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is going to be a historic event for America!,” said Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.). “There is no better motor sport than IndyCar to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. Thank you to President Trump and his administration for putting together a celebration we will cherish for years to come!”
In attendance were the following:
- Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
- Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
- Ambassador Monica Crowley, Chief of Protocol of the United States
- Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
- Bud Denker, President of Penske Corporation & Freedom 250 GP Chairman
- Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- Eric Shanks, CEO of Fox Sports
- Josef Newgarden, INDYCAR and Indy 500 champion driver
“I want to thank Senator Banks from the great state of Indiana,” said Josef Newgarden, INDYCAR and Indy 500 champion driver. “Thank you for being here. Great to see you as always. I am a Tennessee guy. I live in Nashville, Tennessee, but the state of Indiana and Indianapolis is basically my second home. And I’m going to kind of wrap that into the point that I wanted to make today. What I find so great about this event and what I hope people take from it is the inspiration of automobile racing.”
See part of the press conference below or listen here.
