As President Trump announces IndyCar race in Washington DC, when is it and do we know the route for the track?

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to designate a race route through Washington DC, and the National Mall, for an NTT IndyCar Series event in 2026.

The race, titled the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC, will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the USA, while highlighting the history and legacy of American motorsports. It will also be the first ever motor race to be held in the capital city.

The Grand Prix will be taking palce on August 21-23 this year - although it is unconfirmed whether this will turn into a multi-year deal down the road.

President Trump said: “For over one hundred years, American IndyCar racing has set the pace for motorsports. With speeds topping over 200 miles per hour, the cars and drivers inspire awe and respect in all who watch this quintessentially American sport.”

IndyCar is best known for the Indianapolis 500, held annually on the Sunday before Memorial Day and widely regarded as the world’s largest single-day sporting event.

The race regularly draws crowds of more than 350,000 people, with past winners including legendary drivers such as Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt, as well as current stars like four-time champion Alex Palou and two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden.

Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation and owner of IndyCar, added: “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.

“This will be a truly memorable event that celebrates our country’s independence and the legacy of patriotism, innovation, and excellence that powers motorsports across America.”

The planned street circuit will be free and open to the public and will offer views of several national landmarks. As with other IndyCar events, the race will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.

Additional details about the course and schedule are expected to be announced during a kickoff event in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we have drawn up what the track route could look like.

Proposed route for Washington DC Grand Prix

IndyCar will need a lengthy main straight, with a clearing for a pit lane, so having that along the mall via Madison Drive seems logical. From there, we propose a couple of sharp 90 degree turns up to Pennsylvania Avenue, heading towards the Peace Monument, before passing the Capitol Building and turning right again at the Garfield Memorial.

After that, drivers will race through Maryland Avenue and along Independence Avenue, driving past the Smithsonian, Washington Monument and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. When they reach that point, they would take a sharp left-hander before a quick dash down past West Potomac Park, then using Ohio Drive to return to the Lincoln Memorial.

Racing around the historic landmark will take the drivers up towards Constitution Avenue, heading down the straight towards another 90 degree turn just past President’s Park and the White House, giving spectators a great opportunity to see some overtaking. That turn would go around the National Museum of African American History and Culture, before turning left onto the main straight.