President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to create plans for an INDYCAR race on the streets of Washington, D.C., in August 2026.
The executive order establishes the “Freedom 250 Grand Prix” of Washington, D.C. The race will take place on the weekend of Aug. 21-23 in coordination with INDYCAR, NBC News first reported.
This will be the first ever race of its kind in the nation’s capital, according to the White House.
“President Trump has bestowed an incredible distinction upon our sport and we’re grateful for his trust and support as INDYCAR prepares to honor our country with a tremendous racing spectacle,” IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a Friday statement to NBC News.
“This will be a truly memorable event that celebrates our country’s independence and the legacy of patriotism, innovation and the excellence that powers motorsports across America,” he continued. (RELATED: Trump Says He Wants To Drive Housing Prices Up, Not Down)
.@POTUS: “I have some incredible people, and this is a very exciting thing that we’re doing… it’s having to do with our great 250th birthday… We’re Celebrating Greatness with American Motor Racing… it’s going to take place August 21st through the 23rd.” pic.twitter.com/x4JceZ56PU
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 30, 2026
Trump bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Penske in 2019 for his historic career as both a driver and founder of the Penske Corporation and Team Penske. He has won 20 Indianapolis-500 races.
The Interior and Transportation departments, in conjunction with the mayor’s office, will establish a route around the area of the National Mall to showcase D.C.’s famous landmarks, NBC News reported. (RELATED: Our Founding Father Rebelled Over Far Less Than What Democrats Are Plotting In New Tax Tyranny)
American speed. American power. American GREATNESS. 🇺🇸🏁
President Donald J. Trump just signed an Executive Order launching the FIRST-EVER IndyCar race through the streets of our Nation’s Capital: The Freedom 250 Grand Prix. pic.twitter.com/Q9gYqA00Vo
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 30, 2026
The administration also announced plans to host a slew of events in the summer of 2026, including a “Great American State Fair, the brand-new Patriot Games, and a UFC fight at the White House.”
Additionally, plans to reopen the National Garden of American Heroes are also in the works, according to the White House.