Trump Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Plan IndyCar Street Race Near Washington’s National Mall

Executive order sets a 14-day deadline for route selection

President Donald Trump on January 30, 2026 signed an executive order directing federal agencies to move quickly toward staging an IndyCar street race in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall as part of national events tied to the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence in 2026.

The order instructs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Transportation to designate, within 14 days, a race route through Washington that is suitable for an IndyCar street race and designed to highlight prominent national monuments and civic spaces. The same agencies are directed to issue permits and approvals “as expeditiously as possible” for planning, preparation, and race operations.

Race weekend dates and basic event outline

IndyCar has listed the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., on its 2026 schedule for August 21–23, 2026, with the championship race slated for Sunday, August 23. The course configuration remains to be determined, and the event is described as a street-circuit race on the “Streets of Washington.”

Plans presented in connection with the order describe broad public access, including free general-admission viewing areas, while additional details—such as the final circuit map, ticketing for any premium areas, and the footprint for grandstands and safety fencing—have not yet been publicly finalized.

Federal land, permitting, and the National Park Service framework

The executive order anticipates that the event will rely on federal permitting pathways for “special events” in the National Capital Region. National Park Service regulations governing demonstrations and special events in key areas around the Mall and major memorials are detailed and typically restrictive, reflecting the unique security and preservation demands of Washington’s ceremonial core.

Separate federal rules adopted for America250 events in the National Capital Region provide a mechanism for streamlined processing and priority scheduling for qualifying federal anniversary programming through December 31, 2026. In practice, this framework could shape how quickly permits are processed, how event space is allocated, and which restrictions may be waived for designated America250 events.

Transportation, security, and operational questions still unresolved

The order authorizes the Transportation Department to use available funds to help facilitate the race, consistent with applicable law. It also calls for coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration to allow permitted use of unmanned aircraft systems and other aerial photography tools in ways intended to enhance public viewing while protecting nearby government facilities.

Beyond federal approvals, the event will require detailed coordination over road closures, emergency access routes, transit impacts, crowd management, and protective measures for infrastructure and public spaces. The order also directs coordination with the District’s mayor to ensure roads, trails, and bridges on any proposed route are properly maintained and capable of supporting race operations.

What happens next

• Route designation is due within 14 days of January 30, 2026.
• Federal agencies must begin processing the permits and approvals required to stage a street race near federal landmarks.
• IndyCar is expected to release additional event and course details once the route and operational footprint are confirmed.

The planned Washington race would mark IndyCar’s first street-race event staged near the National Mall, placing a major motorsports weekend inside one of the country’s most heavily regulated and security-sensitive public spaces.