The grand prix of the IndyCar racing series, the local analogue of Formula 1, took place in the US capital Washington. The event, ordered by President Donald Trump to mark the country's 250th birthday, began with him driving around the track in a limousine and waving the green flag, a video of which has already racked up 1.5 million views on X (formerly Twitter).
Organizers billed the nearly three-hour race as “historic.” The 1.7-mile course in downtown Washington was the only counterclockwise course of the season, and the total distance of a symbolic 250 miles (402 km) is the longest for the series in 40 years. In total, the racers had to complete 147 laps in honor of the country's anniversary.
The route along US cultural heritage sites such as the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian Institution has previously raised questions among heritage activists. They feared the vibrations would ruin the frescoes in the historic buildings, but the criticism did not stop the Freedom 250 race from going ahead.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AAbXOn37N1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 23, 2026
Before the start of the race, Trump and First Lady Melania took a lap of honor around the track in the presidential motorcade in an armored limousine called “The Beast.” Then the head of the White House took a photo with the pilots and started the race by waving the green flag. The recording of the ritual has apparently already gone viral.
“WE HAVE GREEN! WE ARE RACING IN THE FREEDOM 250!” 🇺🇸🏁🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Df3BHWUOvO
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 23, 2026
As a result, the winner, American Kyle Kirkwood from the Andretti Global team, took the lead already at the first turn.
On the 17th and 23rd laps, car parts that flew off upon contact were recorded on the track, and the first accident occurred on the 36th lap. American David Malukas of Team Penske crashed into the wall at Turn 7. Another American pilot, Sting Ray Robb from Juncos Hollinger, who was driving behind him, did not have time to brake and crashed into his car, after which both were eliminated from the competition.
DAVID MALUKAS IS OUT 😬
Sting Ray Robb was also collected in the incident on Lap 36. pic.twitter.com/6NV8PJp7uZ
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 23, 2026
Here's what happened with Alex Palou on the drive-through penalty@IndyCarOnFOX pic.twitter.com/cHbJr4qwKj
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) August 23, 2026
A crash and pit stops temporarily handed the lead to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's Graham Rahal, but Kirkwood regained the top spot on lap 51. By the 100th lap his lead exceeded 11 seconds. With 19 laps to go, Scott McLoughlin (Team Penske) tried to attack Kirkwood in the first turn, but lost control and crashed into the bump stop.
THE RISK DOESN'T PAY OFF 🫣
Scott McLaughlin is out of the race after wall contact in Turn 1. pic.twitter.com/UJGJUAKvTH
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 23, 2026
The Danish race car driver Christian Lundgaard from Arrow McLaren finished second, and the Australian Will Power, Kirkwood's teammate on the Andretti Global team, finished third. At the end of the race, US Air Force aircraft flew over the track.
Kyle Kirkwood conquers the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, DC pic.twitter.com/mD5Rr8dQ8d
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) August 23, 2026
