President Trump announces free ‘Freedom 250’ IndyCar race on Pennsylvania Avenue

President Donald J. Trump announced a free two‑day IndyCar road race on Pennsylvania Avenue on Aug. 22–23 as part of the nation’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, telling the audience the event will loop around the National Mall and include an airshow.

The announcement at a White House event Friday featured Trump, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and motorsports organizers including Roger Penske and Bud Denker. “It’ll be one of the most unforgettable racing events the world has ever seen,” Trump said, and added, “It’s free.”

Why it matters: Organizers and federal officials said the event would use a high‑profile, federally and locally managed corridor in the capital and aim to draw large public crowds. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the Department of Transportation worked with Fox Sports and the Penske team to make the event happen and credited presidential engagement for clearing remaining obstacles. “It would not be going on unless we had presidential engagement,” Duffy said.

What was announced: Trump and organizers described the event as a patriotic spectacle tied to the 250th anniversary and said cars would race down Pennsylvania Avenue at speeds organizers described as “more than 190 miles” per hour. Bud Denker, an event organizer introduced at the event, said more than 250,000 people had signed up to attend and that organizers planned to accommodate about 100,000 people per day for the two‑day event. Denker also noted that one vehicle present “has 1,250 horsepower” and that a Team Penske pit crew can change four tires and refuel in about 6.5 seconds.

Officials and partners on stage included Roger Penske and representatives from Fox Sports and General Motors; the transcript also references ambassador Monica Crowley and driver David Maloukas in ceremonial roles. Organizers said tickets are free; the transcript records statements that a short executive‑order review and follow‑up helped move planning toward a city‑street configuration.

What was not in the remarks: The prepared remarks and exchanges at the event did not include detailed plans for security, street closures, permitting from the District of Columbia or an explicit breakdown of public or private funding for the event. Organizers referenced Capitol Hill meetings and an executive order that was reviewed and signed to facilitate the change, but specific procedural steps, interagency memoranda, or permit approvals were not presented in the recorded remarks.

Quotes from the event: “This will get the highest ratings of any such race,” Trump said. Duffy said, “It would not be going on unless we had presidential engagement.” Denker said, “This car over here, by the way, has 1,250 horsepower, and this will pace our field.”

Next steps: Organizers set the event for Aug. 22–23 and encouraged public attendance; the transcript does not specify the final permitting timeline, security plan, or exact spectator controls. Further announcements from the Department of Transportation, the National Park Service and the District of Columbia would be expected to detail street closures, public‑safety measures and any needed permits.