• TOPSHOT - US driver #27 Kyle Kirkwood races during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2026. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. The race will cover 147 laps of a 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit around the National Mall, passing landmarks including the US Capitol and Washington Monument. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
    TOPSHOT - US driver #27 Kyle Kirkwood races during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2026. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. The race will cover 147 laps of a 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit around the National Mall, passing landmarks including the US Capitol and Washington Monument. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
  • US President Donald Trump's motorcade on the track before the event. Bloomberg
    US President Donald Trump's motorcade on the track before the event. Bloomberg
  • Mr Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, attend the race. Reuters
    Mr Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, attend the race. Reuters
  • The US President's official aircraft, Air Force One, performs a fly-past. Reuters
    The US President's official aircraft, Air Force One, performs a fly-past. Reuters
  • Mr Trump waves the green flag to start the race. Reuters
    Mr Trump waves the green flag to start the race. Reuters
  • Dennis Hauger drives past fans. AFP
    Dennis Hauger drives past fans. AFP
  • A chalk drawing that reads ''Murica!' on the track. AFP
    A chalk drawing that reads ''Murica!' on the track. AFP
  • Fans pose for photos with a man dressed as Uncle Sam. AFP
    Fans pose for photos with a man dressed as Uncle Sam. AFP
  • US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, wave the checkered flags at the end of the race. Reuters
    US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, wave the checkered flags at the end of the race. Reuters

Race cars tear through US capital for event to celebrate America's 250th anniversary


American race cars tore around Washington on Sunday for an inaugural Grand Prix in the US capital to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.

The ‌Freedom 250 ⁠Grand Prix began after ⁠US President Donald Trump completed a ceremonial lap in the presidential limousine and waved ​the green flag.

The race is the latest in a series of sporting events Mr Trump has used to celebrate the country and his second term, even as his approval rating has dropped to the lowest point since he returned to the White House in January 2025, and the US is at war with Iran.

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy wave the chequered flags during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar Series race in Washington.  Reuters
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy wave the chequered flags during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar Series race in Washington. Reuters

Mr Trump opened the summer with a professional mixed martial arts bout on the South Lawn of the White House, then presented the trophy to Spain, the Fifa World Cup champions, a month later.

The unusual setting for an IndyCar race, with the US Capitol and Smithsonian museums as the ​backdrop, was not lost on the drivers.

"What an incredible place to do it," race winner Kyle Kirkwood told Fox Sports after his victory.

Arrow ⁠McLaren's ‌Christian Lundgaard finished second ​and Kirkwood's Andretti teammate Will Power completed the podium.

Alex Palou, of Chip Ganassi Racing, entered the race with six wins this season and a 133-point lead over Kirkwood. The four-time champion's afternoon was undermined by ​a drive-through ‌penalty, a ⁠slow pit ​stop and a late ​crash.

Updated: August 24, 2026, 4:57 AM