Photos: IndyCars speed past Washington landmarks as part of Freedom 250
Al Jazeera · LC · trust 61/100
play Live Sign up Show navigation menu Navigation menu News Show more news sections Africa Asia US & Canada Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East Explained Sport Opinion Video More Show more sections Features Economy Human Rights Climate Crisis Investigations Interactives In Pictures Science & Technology Podcasts Travel Sponsored Content play Live Click here to search search Sign up Navigation menu caret-left Donald Trump Trump, Netanyahu and the Iran question How Iran war fallout may shape US elections A visual guide to redistricting caret-right In Pictures
Race cars take over central Washington, DC, as the Trump-created Freedom 250 Grand Prix debuts.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A pit crew works in front of the National Gallery of Art during a practice before the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar series race in Washington, DC. [Nathan Howard/Reuters] By AP and Reuters Published On 23 Aug 2026 23 Aug 2026 Race cars have roared through the streets of Washington, DC, in the shadow of its landmarks as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, created by United States President Donald Trump, has kicked off.
Before Sunday’s first-of-its-kind race, IndyCar drivers tested open-wheel cars at speeds of up to 298 kilometres per hour (185 miles per hour) on Saturday over the bumps and bends of a seven-turn, 2.7km (1.7-mile) course that winds around the Washington Monument, the US Capitol, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum along the National Mall.
Spain’s Alex Palou, the championship leader with six wins this season, claimed his seventh pole position of the campaign with a qualifying lap of 56.899 seconds after setting the fastest practice time of 56.614 seconds.
But results took a back seat to the dramatic backdrop for Sunday’s race, which Trump established by executive order as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the US.
Organisers expected up to 100,000 people to attend, including Trump.
A field of 25 drivers contested 147 laps on Sunday over a total distance of 400km (250 miles), making it the second-longest street race in IndyCar history after 500km (310-mile) events held in Cleveland in 1982 and 1983.
Read the original at Al Jazeera →
Open in TruthVane →