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PHOTOS: Freedom 250 Grand Prix attracts thousands to nation’s capital

WTOP Staff

August 22, 2026, 6:29 PM

Thousands are coming to the District on Sunday to watch racers take part in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, as part of America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

It is the second big sporting event staged in the nation’s capital by President Donald Trump following the UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House in June.

See photos of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend below.

Freedom 250 Grand Prix 1/8
Part of the Pennsylvania Avenue portion of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix race track, as seen from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center rooftop terrace in D.C. on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (WTOP/Monique Hayes)
Freedom 250 Grand Prix 2/8
An IndyCar with the PNC Bank logo is one of the vehicles taking part in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in D.C. on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (WTOP/Monique Hayes)
Spectators pack the stands to watch the IROC practice laps 3/8
Spectators pack the stands to watch the IROC practice laps on the eve of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images)
Freedom 250 IndyCar 4/8
Race car driver Rinus Veejay during practice runs prior to Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
IndyCars take part in a practice session 5/8
IndyCars take part in a practice session in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22, 2026, on the eve of the Freedom Grand Prix. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Fans try to get a view of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix 6/8
Fans try to get a view of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix Weekend opening day on Aug. 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
Kurt Busch signs autographs for fans 7/8
Driver Kurt Busch signs autographs for fans during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix Weekend on Aug. 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
Race car drivers and pit crew members prepare to take practice runs 8/8
Race car drivers and pit crew members prepare to take practice runs along Pennsylvania Avenue, prior to Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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