The following is a press release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2026) – Details on the schedule for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C. have been released, highlighted by flag-to-flag coverage of the unprecedented Aug. 22-23 NTT INDYCAR SERIES race weekend in the nation’s capital on the FOX Sports platforms.
The first-ever automotive race around the National Mall and the historic streets of Washington D.C. commemorating America’s 250th birthday will feature comprehensive FOX Sports multi-platform coverage, culminating with the live broadcast of the 147-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 23. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will also showcase the return of the iconic International Race of Champions (IROC) series, bringing together some of the most accomplished drivers in motorsports history to complete the weekend on-track lineups.
Racing on the seven-turn, 1.7-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit will begin on Saturday, Aug. 22 with NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 scheduled from 9-10:30 a.m. ET on FS1. After the opening INDYCAR practice session, IROC practice will take place from 11:10-11:30 a.m., while IROC’s second practice of the weekend is scheduled from 12:10-12:30 p.m.
Saturday’s second NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice will air from 1-2:30 p.m. on FS2. Afterward, IROC will host two 20-minute heat races on the streets of Washington D.C., with the first race beginning at 3 p.m. and the second race starting at 4 p.m. After the IROC racing and post-race ceremonies have concluded, INDYCAR qualifying for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will take to the track from 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, with live coverage on FS2.
Sunday’s schedule will begin with the INDYCAR Java House Warmup Show from 9-10 a.m., live on FS1. FOX’s expanded Freedom 250 Grand Prix pre-race coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m., featuring play-by-play announcer Will Buxton, race analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe, along with pit lane reporters Kevin Lee, Georgia Henneberry, Jack Harvey and Jamie Little. Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES race will begin shortly after 1 p.m., with the 147-lap showdown airing live on FOX.
“It is going to be a truly historic race weekend in the heart of Washington, D.C. as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will provide fans the opportunity to see world-class INDYCAR competition and IROC racing with some of motorsports’ true legends, in one unforgettable setting,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. “We are excited to announce the weekend on-track schedule and the INDYCAR broadcast details with our partners at FOX so that fans can plan their experience for the landmark celebration. Whether they’ll be part of the hundreds of thousands of people attending in person or watching the racing action on the FOX platforms across the nation, fans will be able to be part of this unique two-day event honoring 250 years of our country’s freedom and independence.”
Additional details on off-track activities featured throughout the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend – including free autograph sessions featuring both INDYCAR and IROC drivers – will be announced in the coming days.
With a unique mix of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition and IROC exhibition racing, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will deliver a rare combination of past and present for fans, showcasing today’s current stars and the legends of the sport in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in the nation’s capital.
To view this press release, click here.
For full information on the Freedom 250 Grand Prix Weekend, visit the official website here.
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