President Trump signed an executive order Friday to hold an IndyCar race on the streets of Washington D.C. this summer as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previewed the race cars will be zooming “190 mph” down the famed Pennsylvania Ave. during the Aug. 23 race, dubbed the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
“This will be wild,” Duffy said, adding he wanted the event to be “historic and cool.”
President Trump will sign an executive order to hold an IndyCar race on the streets of Washington, DC, this summer as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration. AFP via Getty ImagesTrump said during a White House signing ceremony with Roger Penske, owner of IndyCar, and Fox Sports reps, that the event could set a record for racing.
Penske praised the president’s decision, calling it “an economic benefit” to Washington D.C.
President Trump signs an executive order on the IndyCar race in DC on America’s 250th birthday. Getty Images‘This is really amazing time for us as a company to support the 250th anniversary for the country, and there’s no better way for us to bring automotive and speed into the DC area and to have the opportunity to be able to compete here with our Indy cars,” Penske said during an event in the Oval Office.
The IndyCar Series race on May 25, 2025. Getty Images“Most of the grounds will be free, so it’s going to be an economic benefit to the area, to the city,” he added. Penske owns Team Penske, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and IndyCar.
Trump speaks after signing an executive order from the Oval Office on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Getty ImagesThe Interior and Transportation departments will be officially charged with designing a race route along the National Mall “that showcases the majesty of Washington, D.C., and its iconic national monuments,” according to a White House fact sheet.
