President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that will bring the high-speed spectacle of IndyCar racing to the streets of Washington, D.C., this summer as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Under the plan, the IndyCar race will take place near the National Mall during the weekend of August 21 through August 23. The event will carry the theme “Greatness with American Motorracing,” tying the competition directly to the broader celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Speaking at the signing, Trump framed the race as one of many major events planned to mark the historic milestone. “It’s really having to do with our great 250th birthday where we’re having so many wonderful things,” the president said. He added that the event is expected to draw massive crowds, suggesting it could even set a new attendance record for racing.
The president was joined at the White House by several key figures involved in making the event possible. Among those present were Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House staff secretary Will Scharf, IndyCar owner and former professional racecar driver Roger Penske, and Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks.
Fox Sports serves as the television home for IndyCar racing, and Shanks credited the president with helping revive the project. “This project was kind of on life support until you stepped in recently and got us here today,” Shanks said. He added that being able to celebrate America’s anniversary on Fox was an extraordinary honor.
While enthusiasm for the race is high, questions remain about how the event will be staged in the heart of the nation’s capital. Details about the precise course layout and logistics have not yet been finalized. Still, Penske Corporation President Bud Denker expressed confidence in local cooperation, describing Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as “a great partner” in the process.
The IndyCar race is being promoted as part of a broader slate of high-profile events highlighted by the White House in connection with the 250th anniversary. Among them is the upcoming FIFA World Cup set to take place in the United States, as well as a Ultimate Fighting Championship fight scheduled to be held in front of the White House in June.
Supporters of the plan see the IndyCar race as a uniquely American way to celebrate the nation’s history, combining motorsports, patriotism, and the iconic backdrop of Washington, D.C. By bringing a major racing event to the streets near the National Mall, the administration is aiming to showcase American innovation and excitement during a milestone year.
With the executive order now signed, preparations are set to move forward, positioning the summer race as a centerpiece event in what the White House says will be a wide-ranging and memorable celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
