IndyCar is holding its first race in D.C. this weekend. Here's what to know.
Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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It's a blast, super fun," series points leader Alex Palou said after a morning practice session Saturday, according to The Associated Press. "Very bumpy, huge bumps heading into Turn 2 and Turn 6. Tickets for general admission to the race were free, but the window for requesting them closed back in June.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
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Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 9:02 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph are zooming around the National Mall this weekend as the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday . The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands and enormous barriers, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. The race will disrupt several popular tourist destinations around the Mall and limit access to those with tickets to the event. "I didn't know if it was going to be fun or not to drive.
