The article reports on the first IndyCar street race in Washington, D.C.'s National Mall, which took place on August 23, 2026. The event, Freedom 250 Grand Prix, was attended by tens of thousands of people and featured American driver Kyle Kirkwood winning with a commanding lead. President Trump established the event as part of the yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary. The race transformed some of the nation's most famous streets into a track, with drivers zooming past landmarks such as the National Mall, Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and Independence Avenue.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Freedom 250 Grand PrixIndyCar drivers zoomed past some of the nation's most famous landmarks this weekend.
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drivers → zoom → landmarks
They faced novel challenges on an unconventional route.
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They → face → route
Washington, D.C.'s first IndyCar race packed the National Mall
Audio will be available later today.
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Audio → pack → Mall
Drivers take part in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar Series race in Washington, D.C., Aug. 23, 2026.
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Drivers → take → Washington
Nathan Howard/Reuters
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Nathan Howard/Reuters
In the end, it was an American who took the crown.
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who → hide → crown
The first-ever street race in the nation's capital ended with Florida native Kyle Kirkwood on the podium.
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race → end → podium
He led 128 of the 147 laps, finishing with a commanding win.
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He → lead → win
Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the #27 Sam's Club Honda, celebrates with his crew after winning the NTT INDYCAR Series Freedom 250.
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Kirkwood → celebrate → Freedom
Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the #27 Sam's Club Andretti Global Honda, celebrates after winning the NTT INDYCAR Series.
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Kirkwood → celebrate → Series
President Trump established the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend as part of the yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
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Trump → establish → anniversary
Finn Gomez/Getty Images/Getty Images
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Finn Gomez/Getty Images/Getty Images
Drivers race on the track during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar series race.
Aaron Schwartz/Reuters
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Aaron Schwartz/Reuters
Over the weekend, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix transformed some of the nation's most famous streets – Pennsylvania, Constitution, and Independence avenues – into a race track.
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Prix → hide → track
Tens of thousands of people packed into the National Mall to attend each day of the two-day event.
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thousands → pack → event
Many in the crowds sported bald eagles splashed on bright shirts as well as "Freedom 250" merch.
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Many → sport → shirts
(And a real bald eagle flew over the racetrack during the singing of "God Bless America" before returning to its handler.)
People in costumes appear on the racetrack ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar series race.
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People → fly → race
Tierney L. Cross/Reuters
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Tierney L. Cross/Reuters
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., had a flyover of the new version of Air Force One.
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Prix → toggle → One
Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR
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Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR
Graham Rahal (15) makes a pit stop during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington.(AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Allison Robbert/AP Photo/Allison Robbert/AP
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Allison Robbert/AP Photo/Allison Robbert/AP
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., was held on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, on a course that ran around the National Mall.
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that → make → Mall
At one of the perimeter fences, Jan Servais of Montgomery, Ala., watches a monitor showing the race.
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Servais → watch → race
Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR
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Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR
Spectators look on during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
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Spectators → hide → Prix
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
James Lewis, left, and Ashley Smith, of Richmond, Va., arriving to the race in red white and blue style.
Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR
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Tyrone Turner/WAMU for NPR
"Oh man — patriotic and electric," Cameron Graves said, describing the energy at the event.
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Graves → hide → event
Graves wore American flag pants and a Freedom 250 shirt and hat.
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Graves → wear → pants
He already had a front row seat by 8:15am on Sunday.
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He → have → Sunday
Pre-race celebrations were filled with pomp and circumstance.
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celebrations → fill → pomp
There were multiple flyovers and military bands flooded the racetrack.
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bands → be → racetrack
Before waving the green start flag, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took a ceremonious lap in Trump's armored car, nicknamed "The Beast."
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Trump → wave → car
Crowds cheered and chanted "U.S.A."
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Crowds → cheer → U.S.A.
President Trump rides in the presidential limousine, known as "The Beast", ahead of the start of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar series race.
Tierney L. Cross/Reuters
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Tierney L. Cross/Reuters
President Trump waves the green flag to start the race alongside first lady Melania Trump, right, and from left, Bettina Trump and Donald Trump Jr. during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix race.
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Doug Mills/Pool/The New York Times/AP
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Doug Mills/Pool/The New York Times/AP
Brazilian driver #4 Caio Collet races during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
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Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
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Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
Pit crew members and officials are pictured during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race.
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members → hide → race
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
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Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Drivers compete during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race.
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Drivers → hide → race
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
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Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Rinus VeeKay, driver of the #76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet drives in the NTT INDYCAR Series.
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VeeKay → hide → Series
Mike Kropf/Getty Images
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Mike Kropf/Getty Images
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was pulled together in just seven months – a relatively short period of time to overcome security issues, satisfy permit requirements and address safety issues.
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Prix → hide → issues
Over 200 manhole covers had to be welded down because otherwise they could be road hazards.
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they → have → ?
The race brought people together from across the country.
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race → bring → country
Devoted IndyCar fan Mick Bryant, a dealer of collectibles, including IndyCar cards, came from Greenfield, Ind.
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Bryant → devote → Greenfield
He was decked out in a full black-and-white checkered outfit down to his socks.
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He → deck → socks
"I'll tell you what, I've been going to the [Indianapolis] 500 for decades... and I still get goosebumps," Bryant said.
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Bryant → tell → goosebumps
I just love the sound.
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I → love → sound
Kathleen Lazorchack and her husband travelled from West Virginia for the race.
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Lazorchack → travel → race
She said the best part about motorsports is the people.
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part → say → motorsports
"If you ever have an opportunity to walk through the paddock and talk to people, it'll make your hair stand up on your arms," Lazorchack said.
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Lazorchack → have → arms
…and 27 more, not listed.
