The latest addition to the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series schedule, after the calendar had already been announced, was the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, D.C., as a part of the continued celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and thus the United States' 250th birthday.
The addition of the seven-turn, 1.7-mile (2.736-kilometer) temporary street circuit in the nation's capital gave IndyCar its first 18-race schedule since 2014.
In recent weeks, the race's distance was extended from 125 laps to 147, to make it a roughly 250-mile race. It is set to be an uncharacteristically long race for a street race, and with the circuit featuring six left turns and just one to the right, it could be one of the more entertaining events on the calendar.
Just one of the five street races contested so far in 2026 was won from the front row, when Alex Palou won from pole in Detroit, but three of the others were won front the second row. Marcus Ericsson just won from fourth in Markham on another new street circuit this past weekend. How important will qualifying be around the National Mall?
While the totally predictable opposition to the event remains, simply because of who the sitting president happens to be, even as the D.C. mayor of the opposite political party has been an equally huge advocate, the historic event could bring tons of new eyes to the sport and reach many who would have otherwise had no exposure to the series, especially in this particular market.
For all who have no issue reaching the only accurate conclusion that just because somebody involved in politics is involved in something other than politics doesn't inherently make that something else political in any way, shape, or form, there is optimism that this weekend has the potential to be great.
Follow along with our live qualifying updates from the streets of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. qualifying updates
Washington, D.C. IndyCar qualifying: Round 1, Group 1 results
1 - Kyle Kirkwood, No. 27 Andretti Global Honda
2 - Marcus Armstrong, No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda
3 - Alex Palou, No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
4 - Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
5 - Pato O'Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
6 - Felix Rosenqvist, No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda
7 - Will Power, No. 26 Andretti Global Honda
8 - Marcus Ericsson, No. 28 Andretti Global Honda
9 - Alexander Rossi, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
10 - Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
11 - Romain Grosjean, No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda
12 - Graham Rahal, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Washington, D.C. IndyCar qualifying: Round 1, Group 2 results
Washington, D.C. IndyCar qualifying: Round 2 results
Washington, D.C. IndyCar qualifying: Firestone Fast Six results
Full Washington, D.C. IndyCar starting lineup
13 - Will Power, No. 26 Andretti Global Honda
15 - Marcus Ericsson, No. 28 Andretti Global Honda
17 - Alexander Rossi, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
19 - Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
21 - Romain Grosjean, No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda
23 - Graham Rahal, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Fox is set to broadcast the Freedom 250 Grand Prix live from the streets of Washington, D.C. beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 23. Start a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any of the action from a historic race in the nation's capital!
