This summer, Washington, D.C., will be the site of an IndyCar race as part of the festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, as announced by President Donald Trump on Friday, who expressed enthusiasm about the idea of cars speeding past the White House at nearly 200 mph.
Trump issued an executive order to establish the race on August 23, in collaboration with Roger Penske, the proprietor of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar, and various racing teams, including those in NASCAR.
“It’s going to be incredibly thrilling,” Trump stated. “I enjoy racing. I don’t have much time to watch it, but I enjoy racing.”
Penske remarked that there was “no better way for us to introduce automotive excitement and speed into the D.C. area, and to have the chance to compete here with our IndyCars.”
IndyCar announced that the course will encompass the National Mall, and the executive order allows the Departments of Transportation and the Interior two weeks to identify a suitable route through Washington “that is appropriate for conducting an INDYCAR street race and that will highlight the grandeur of our capital city in celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.”
The order also instructs city and other officials to collaborate closely with race organizers.
This event reflects Trump’s ongoing support for sports during his second term: Much of his domestic travel has revolved around attending significant games and events, including the recent College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The president has also taken an active role in promoting a UFC fight to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, which he has indicated is scheduled for June 14 on the White House grounds — coinciding with his 80th birthday.
Trump does not plan to attend the upcoming Super Bowl on February 8 between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California, citing the distance as a concern.
In the case of IndyCar, the race is set to come to him.
Celebrating our independence and honoring the legacy of American motorsport.
This summer, INDYCAR is coming to Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/w2s8bxkp90
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) January 30, 2026
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was present at Friday’s signing ceremony in the Oval Office, expressed excitement: “To think, 190 miles an hour down Pennsylvania Avenue. This is going to be wild.” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also expressed her enthusiasm in a statement, stating she was “thrilled” to bring an IndyCar race to the city.
Trump encouraged organizers to select the optimal race route through Washington’s streets, even if it posed more logistical challenges.
“I said, choose the best site. It’s very important,” the president remarked. “Even if it’s more complicated to get approved, select the absolute best site.”
The race will fill a gap in the IndyCar schedule between another new road course event on the streets of Markham, Ontario, near Toronto (August 16) and a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile (August 29-30). The series will compete for five consecutive weekends, starting in Portland, Oregon, moving east to D.C., and then returning to Laguna Seca in California for the season finale on September 6.
Organizers noted that they had long advocated for congressional approval of a road race in Washington but had previously been unsuccessful. Duffy inquired about the last road race in the capital and learned it occurred in 1801 and involved horses during President Thomas Jefferson’s administration, prompting Trump to respond, “That’s something.”
“Now we’re going to do a real race,” said Duffy, who mentioned that the event would be free for the public, declaring: “Freedom, America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn’t get more American than that.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: espn.com
