INDIANAPOLIS — This summer’s IndyCar race on the national mall in Washington D.C. has largely been presumed to be a one-and-done event to celebrate America, but one of the top executives involved said organizers hope to turn it into a multiyear arrangement.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C. is one of hundreds of events across America in 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It’s slated for August 23 and is being touted as the first race of any kind on the national mall since Thomas Jefferson held a horse race in 1801. However, there was an American Le Mans Series race around RFK Stadium in 2002.
Up to now, the NTT IndyCar Series and President Trump’s administration have been calling the D.C. race a one-off. But Keith Krach, a former Under Secretary of State who Trump appointed as CEO of the Freedom 250 organization, told SBJ this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that, while nothing is set, there are aspirations to make it “an annual event.”
“That hasn’t been determined yet, but I think everybody’s thinking that way and hoping that way,” Krach said.
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IndyCar is working with D.C. sports power brokers Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which was named the official marketing, sponsorships and corporate hospitality sales agency of the race.
Asked about Krach’s comments, IndyCar was noncommittal. The series told SBJ in a statement: “We appreciate all the enthusiasm for the event and are looking forward to putting on a special race in the nation’s capital. Our focus right now is solely on the event in August and one that is successfully executed for spectators and those watching around the country.”
Krach said over 1,000 events will be associated with the Freedom 250 across the country this year, including NASCAR’s naval base race near San Diego and the UFC’s Freedom 250 fight card at the White House.
Build-out for the IndyCar circuit, which will be 1.7 miles long with seven turns, will begin in early August, said Krach, who added the expectation is for more than 100,000 attendees per day. Tickets are being distributed for free via an online lottery. Also, there will be a hospitality area around the start/finish line for “cabinet members, hopefully the president, so we need special security for that,” Krach said.
One of six 18-wheeler mobile museums from the Freedom 250 organization that tells the story of America was on site at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week for fans attending the 110th running of the Indy 500.
“The important thing [for the Grand Prix] was to get everyone’s buy-in and the clearance to do that because the National Park Foundation is responsible for that strip of land, and all that went well,” Krach said. “Almost literally needed an act of Congress — the president helped out and all that — so it’s fine, and the Penske organization is [experienced] with putting on this stuff, so everybody’s excited.”
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