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

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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.

IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Kyle Kirkwood
Kyle Kirkwood (27) poses for a photo with members of the U.S. Secret Service counter assault team after winning the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Alex Brandon
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Christian Rasmussen
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington photos
Spectators watch the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-US President Donald Trump
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Graham Rahal
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Pit crew members
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Nolan Siegel
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in US
Spectators watch the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Cassidy Towriss
Cassidy Towriss watches the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Alex Palou
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-US President Donald Trump
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Driver Christian Rasmussen
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights drivers competing.
Drivers compete during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-
Spectators watch during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-Air Force One
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-
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
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IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington highlights-
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
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