WASHINGTON – This summer, the vibrant streets of Washington, D.C., will echo with the thunderous roar of IndyCar engines as they race through the capital. Announcing the event on Friday, President Donald Trump emphasized that the race is part of a series of celebrations for America’s upcoming 250th birthday, promising spectators exhilarating speeds near 200 mph as cars zoom past iconic landmarks like the White House.
President Trump, flanked by Roger Penske, the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar, and several racing teams including those in NASCAR, signed an executive order to officially establish the race scheduled for August 23.
“It’s going to be incredibly thrilling,” Trump remarked. “While I don’t often get the chance to watch, I really do enjoy the racing world.”
Roger Penske expressed enthusiasm for the race, stating, “There’s no better way to bring the excitement of automotive speed to the D.C. area. Competing here with our IndyCars is a tremendous opportunity.”
The planned race route, according to an IndyCar press release, will feature a drive through the National Mall. The executive order has tasked the Departments of Transportation and the Interior with outlining a suitable path through Washington within two weeks. This route aims to highlight the grandeur of the nation’s capital in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The order further instructs city officials and other relevant authorities to collaborate closely with the race organizers to ensure the event’s success.
The event continues Trump’s embrace of sports during his second term: Most of his domestic travel has been built around attending major games and events — including the recent NCAA football national championship in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The president has also been personally involved in promoting a UFC fight to help mark America’s 250th anniversary which he has said is set for June 14 on the White House grounds — a date that happens to be his 80th birthday.
But Trump isn’t planning to attend the upcoming Super Bowl on Feb. 8 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California, suggesting it’s too far to travel.
In IndyCar’s case, the race is set to come to him.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also attended Friday’s signing ceremony in the Oval Office, gushed: “To think, 190 miles an hour down Pennsylvania Avenue. This is going to be wild.”
Trump said he’d urged organizers to pick the best race route through Washington’s streets — even if they were more complicated logistically.
“I said, pick the best site. It’s very important,” the president said. “Even if it’s more difficult to get, to get approved, pick the absolute best site.”
Organizers said they’d long lobbied members of Congress to authorize a road race in Washington, but had been previously unsuccessful. Duffy asked when the last road race in the capital occurred and was told it was in 1801 and involved horses during the administration of President Thomas Jefferson — prompting Trump to reply, “That’s something.”
“Now we’re going to do a real race,” said Duffy, who said the event would be free for the public, declaring: “Freedom, America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn’t get more American than that.”
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
