IndyCar Series drivers will need to embrace their inner angels during Sunday’s Freedom 250, which will play out on a short, wide track over a marathon race distance around the nation’s capital.

Along with a potential return to international travel in the coming years, longstanding efforts remain in motion to find a regular home for IndyCar racing in the Northeast.

The newest IndyCar Series schedule isn’t perfect, but it’s filled with a number of improvements that address shortcomings that blighted recent championship runs.