Kyle Kirkwood Wins Freedom 250 As Alex Palou Suffers Nightmare IndyCar Race

Kyle Kirkwood produced a commanding drive to win the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., making history on IndyCar’s first race around the National Mall. The Andretti Global driver led 128 of the 147 laps and crossed the line 3.0906 seconds ahead of Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard, with teammate Will Power completing the podium. The 250-mile race was interrupted by six caution periods, but Kirkwood repeatedly maintained control, including after late restarts. Championship leader Alex Palou endured a nightmare afternoon, suffering a drive-through penalty, a slow pit stop and a crash on his way to 20th place. Kirkwood’s victory reduced Palou’s championship lead from 133 points to 91, with three races remaining.

Christian Rasmussen (21), of Denmark, leads a pack of cars during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Allison Robbert

A spectator wears a headset as she watches the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

Spectators watch the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

US President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Dana White watch after Kyle Kirkwood (27) won the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Alex Brandon

Graham Rahal (15) makes a pit stop during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Allison Robbert

Pit crew members for Romain Grosjean (18), of Switzerland, are pictured after a pit stop at the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

A member of Nolan Siegel pit crew rests on a tire during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Spectators watch the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Cassidy Towriss watches the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Alex Palou (10) of Spain makes a pit stop during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Alex Brandon

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, in the presidential limousine known as "The Beast," do a lap around the track before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Allison Robbert

Driver Christian Rasmussen rides past the National Archives prior to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Rod Lamkey

Drivers compete during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin

Spectators watch during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Air Force One flies over the U.S. Capitol before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, as seen from the Washington Monument. | Photo: AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Fans watch a military fly-over before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2026. | Photo: AP/Nick Wass

Spectators watch as President Donald Trump, in the presidential limousine known as "The Beast," does a lap around the track before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Savannah Brown, of Maryland, watches as U.S. Navy aircraft perform a flyover before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

Members of the U.S. Navy Band perform before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Nick Wass