Honda proves its IndyCar street course mettle - again - with Washington DC victory

Sunday's IndyCar Freedom 250 broadcast on FOX was a celebration of America that featured Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden as the first and primary face of the series as it raced around the nation’s capital.

The broadcast also unveiled an extraordinary package utilizing the American military in a highly-produced piece that showed the Corvette pace car being secured and transported by all armed force branches to the site of the Washington D.C. Grand Prix.

And as so often happens in the IndyCar Series, the rival brand – Honda, in this case – spoiled a day that was seemingly created to celebrate the Michigan carmaker.

Honda-powered Kyle Kirkwood – who’s also American, but didn’t fit FOX’s GM-themed remit as well as the Chevy-powered Newgarden did – made a point of ruining their day by running away with the Freedom 250. The Floridian and his Honda stablemates combined to lead 144 of 147 laps to make more history for the American division of the Japanese car company.

He was joined by Andretti teammates Will Power in third and Marcus Ericsson in fourth as Honda took six of the top 10 positions in the race. Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard was the best for Chevy in second.

Kirkwood’s commanding demonstration completed a unique Honda-friendly streak this season. All six of the street races have been won by its drivers, including the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. But it hasn’t been a one-way street. Chevy did it to Honda in July when Arrow McLaren's Pato O’Ward won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio for the Bowtie, and with General Motors so heavily involved in the Freedom 250, the spoiling trend was bound to continue.

Altogether, Honda drivers have taken 15 out of the 18 available podium spots at the six street races and led 91 percent of the laps.

"We just won here in DC!” Kirkwood said. “As an American, there's no race outside of the (Indianapolis) 500 I'd rather win, especially as a one-and-done deal. My Honda engine was giving me incredible power, but also great fuel economy, which was a really big part of the strategy. Everything went perfect from our end on the Andretti side, and also from the Honda side. What a great day!"

Andretti Global also authored a remarkable achievement after Kirkwood and Ericsson combined to win all three of the new street courses on this year's schedule with Honda power at Arlington in Texas, the Honda-sponsored Markham race in Canada, and now Washington D.C.

Championship leader Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing won the other three street races this season with his No. 10 Honda.

From the 15 races held in 2026, Chevy has won five while Honda has taken 10. Three races are left to run, but Honda’s lead in the Manufacturers’ championship is beyond reach at 1316-1110. However, as part of a longstanding demonstration of respect between the two brands, the winner in the yearlong championship tends to wait until the completion of the final race before publicly celebrating the achievement.

"What a truly amazing occasion and race event, it certainly made you very proud to be an American today,” said Honda Racing Corporation US president David Salters.

“A massive congrats to Roger (Penske), Bud (Denker), Doug (Boles), all of IndyCar and also FOX and Eric Shanks for such a superb world class event. Bravo to Kyle, Will and Marcus and the Andretti Global team, a truly dominant performance. And, of course, a salute to our marvelous team at HRC US.

“They have put in so much effort this year and the team is being rewarded for their hard work. History was made today for Honda Racing in this epic inaugural event with a pole position and the win, two podium finishers, and four Honda cars in the top five. Bravo, Team HRC US! Let's keep pushing to the end of the season!"