Proposal floated for IndyCar D.C. Grand Prix

The White House and Department of Transportation have expressed a desire for Penske Entertainment and its IndyCar Series to add an 18th race to its 2026 calendar in support celebrations of the country’s 250th birthday celebrations with an event held on the streets of Washington, D.C.

The proposed "D.C. Grand Prix" IndyCar race, which was presented by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and supported by President Donald Trump in a promotional video shared across his social channels, would be part of the Freedom 250 celebrations set to start in May and run through August.

“The Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation’s proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the capital,” the DoT said of the race it would like to see take place in August, and would likely require congressional approval to move forward.

In a call with RACER, IndyCar confirmed talks are ongoing with the DoT and White House, but with its 17-race schedule announced in September, the relatively short timeframe to insert an 18th into August comes with a few challenges.

“We are actively exploring the feasibility of a race in the nation’s capital in recognition of America’s 250th birthday,” a spokesperson for the series said. “This would be an opportunity to celebrate a historic milestone for our country with an exciting and patriotic event. As you can imagine, clearing all the hurdles necessary to organize a race in Washington D.C. is a highly complex matter.”

IndyCar races on three of August’s five weekends, leaving Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 21-22 as the only open dates. The series is on the West Coast in Oregon for the Portland road race on the weekend of Aug. 8-9, which would involve a cross-country drive from the nation’s capital if the Aug. 1-2 weekend is activated for the Freedom 250 celebrations.

IndyCar teams have a cross-country drive back from Portland the following weekend for the inaugural Markham street race north of Toronto in Canada on Aug. 15-16, and based on proximity, the trek from Ontario to Washington D.C. for a second consecutive street race on the available Aug. 21-22 weekend could be the most feasible option to explore.

The busy stretch has a doubleheader up next on Aug. 29-30 in Wisconsin at the Milwaukee Mile oval and sees a final haul back to the West Coast for the season finale in California at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. If the Aug. 1-2 option were used, it would deliver five IndyCar races in six weekends to close the calendar, and if the Aug. 21-22 date was secured, the championship would be settled with five consecutive weekends and six total races on offer.

Penske Entertainment co-owner Fox Corporation, which airs every IndyCar race on its main network, would also need to adjust to the 18th-race request and deploy its broadcast assets to cover the event. Other matters, while relatively small, would also need to be resolved as the pricing for 2026 engine leases are designed to cover 17 races and tire supply leases are set for the same number of events.

IndyCar teams in possession of the 22 Leader Circle contracts valued at $1.645 million apiece – which is pro-rated at a 17-race season – would likely look for an increase to cover 18 races, and the greater question of who would create and promote the race also awaits an answer.

Penske Entertainment serves as the promoter for many of its events and could spearhead the D.C. Grand Prix, and within its base of external promoters, options exist to introduce the likes of a Green Savoree Racing Promotions or another trusted race event promoter to work with the series and federal government and local Washington D.C. authorities to create the event.

The first and last Washington D.C. street race was held in 2002 by the former American Le Mans Series –predecessor to today’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – which was held around the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.