OAN Staff Cory Hawkins
1:17 PM – Saturday, January 31, 2026
President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the first-ever professional motor race, called the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, to start in Washington, D.C., as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday.
Trump—alongside the owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Roger Penske, IndyCar, and a plethora of racing teams, including those from NASCAR—signed an executive order inaugurating the race for August 21–23.
“It’s going to be so exciting,” Trump exulted. “I love the racing. I don’t have a lot of time to watch it, but I love the racing.”
Penske exclaimed that there was “no better way for us to bring automotive and speed into the D.C. area, and to be able to have the opportunity to compete here with our IndyCars”.
A news release from IndyCar stated that the route will include the National Mall, and the executive order allows the Departments of Transportation (DOT) and the Interior (DOI) two weeks to designate a route through Washington “that is suitable for conducting an IndyCar street race and that will showcase the majesty of our capital city in celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.”
The event follows Trump’s announcement of Freedom 250, a celebration which is described as “a movement celebrating America’s 250th birthday.”
Trump has fully embraced his love for sports during his second term, with most of his domestic travel being for major games and events, such as the recent NCAA football national championship in Miami Gardens, Florida.
A White House statement said the race would “showcase the beauty and grandeur of Washington, D.C., while demonstrating the power of American ingenuity in engineering, technology, and high-performance racing.”
“The event would bring world-class American motor racing to the heart of the Nation’s capital to celebrate our history, inspire future generations, and highlight the enduring spirit of American innovation and achievement.”
Trump urged organizers to select the best race route through Washington’s streets, even if they were logistically complicated.
“I said, pick the best site. It’s very important,” the president said. “Even if it’s more difficult … to get approved, pick the absolute best site.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also attended Friday’s signing ceremony in the Oval Office, gushed: “To think, 190 miles an hour down Pennsylvania Avenue. This is going to be wild.”
The race will take place August 21-23, 2026, and will be free for the public to view.
The race signifies Trump’s promise to throw the United States the best birthday ever, with Freedom 250 kicking off on New Year’s Eve with a light show and fireworks at the Washington Monument.
“Now we’re going to do a real race,” said Duffy. “Freedom. America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn’t get more American than that.”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
