President Donald Trump hosted top-ranking IndyCar drivers at the White House Monday as part of a "Grand Prix Showcase" ahead of the street race set to take place in the nation's capital next month.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, part of the Freedom 250 quasi-government group founded by Trump, has planned a 1.7-mile track around the National Mall. The course will go around several landmarks, including the National Archives, National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
"This will be like no other race ever," Trump said. "This will get the highest ever ratings of any such race."
Next to Trump stood three IndyCar racers: Alex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas. Both Palou and Rosenqvist won the Indianapolis 500 in 2025 and 2026, respectively; Malukas finished second in both races.
The racers participating in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix have not yet been announced.
President Donald Trump speaks and gives challenge coins to IndyCar drivers David Malukas, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alex Palou during a Freedom 250 Grand Prix Showcase at the White House in Washington, July 13, 2026.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Trump was also joined by Penske founder Roger Penske, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Penske Corporation President Bud Denker, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks and General Motors President Mark Reuss.
After their remarks, an IndyCar drove down Pennsylvania Avenue and a pit crew performed a quick tire change in front of the crowd.
President Donald Trump speaks as Roger Penske, chairperson and founder of Penske Corp., at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, July 13, 2026, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
The event, which Duffy said will be the first-ever IndyCar race in the capital, is scheduled for Aug. 22 and Aug. 23.
"You're going to see cars at the level they've never been at before, with cars racing more than 190 miles, and even higher than that, down Pennsylvania Avenue. It wasn't exactly designed for that, but what Sean Duffy's done with these incredible, brilliant people is really amazing," Trump said.
Trump said the race would be "totally free" to viewers, and that the event is taking place on behalf of the country. The event, run through the Freedom 250 Grand Prix organization, said on its website that it is "supported by a group of key partners” -- including IndyCar’s "promotional alliance with Monumental Sports & Entertainment.” It is unclear how federal funding is playing a role in the event.
"It's going to be a beautiful, a beautiful thing to watch, and this is the first racing event of its kind in Washington, D.C., history, happening as part of our great celebration of the 250th anniversary of American freedom," Trump said.
President Donald Trump receives a helmet at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, July 13, 2026, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
The upcoming event will celebrate the nation's independence and motorsports industry, according to the IndyCar series.
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Trump also mentioned his recent Ultimate Fight Championship event and the Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall, both also hosted by Freedom 250. He said the Fourth of July was made even better by the bad weather, which had forced attendees to evacuate and later return for the president's speech.
Duffy said he hopes for cooler weather for the race next month.
"We hope everyone comes and checks out this race," Duffy said. "It's going to be epic."
ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.
