Trump: IMAGO/Yuri Gripas / Pool via CNP /MediaPunch; Palou: IMAGO/Andreas Beil;

Jul 13, 2026, 3:02 PM CUT

Donald Trump set to host top IndyCar stars at White House in ceremonial event

The Freedom 250 GP might still be another month away, but U.S President Donald Trump is making sure to keep the racing spectacle in people’s minds. According to a report from NBC, the President is hosting some of IndyCar’s biggest names at the White House as part of a promotional push for the upcoming race.

Among those being hosted are reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, along with 2026 Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas.

IndyCar owner Roger Penske is also likely to be present, along with Freedom 250 Grand Prix chairman Bud Denker, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, and the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Duffy, along with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, has been overseeing the logistical preparations for the event, as reported in the NBC report shared by Matt Archuleta on X.

March 9, 2026, Washington, District Of Columbia, USA: A Freedom 250 wrapped IndyCar sits in front of the U.S. Capitol at the start of a press event to reveal the track for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC. Washington USA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAs365 20260309_znp_s365_009 Copyright: xJoeyxSussmanx

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was announced earlier this year after Trump signed an executive order authorizing its creation. The event will mark the first-ever IndyCar race to be held on the streets surrounding the National Mall, with the circuit designed to showcase and celebrate several of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.

IndyCar owner Roger Penske also enjoys a close relationship with the President. After the announcement of the Freedom 250 GP, Penske wrote an emotional letter to Trump, thanking him for going forward with the event.

Based on multiple reports, Team Penske said it has received 288,000 ticket requests for the race, which has only 100,000 spots available. Acknowledging the response, Bud Denker and the team responsible for promoting the event developed a ‘Stars & Stripes’ attendance plan.

This would allocate half of the free-ticket recipients access to view the event from inside the track, while the other half would get to enjoy the race from locations outside the circuit.

Meanwhile, Richard Childress ensured NASCAR and North Carolina had a presence in the recently concluded Great American State Fair.

The Richard Childress Racing simulator at the Great American State Fair

The veteran NASCAR team owner attended the event after organizers said North Carolina would not have an official exhibit, reportedly due to budgetary concerns. As a result, Childress and the Freedom 250 organizers helped assemble a replacement display centered around the state's deep ties to stock car racing.

On being asked about the presence of an RCR car at the North Carolina exhibit, Childress explained the circumstances behind its creation, and also expressed his pride in the state of North Carolina.

“We were told that North Carolina wasn't going to have an exhibit, so we all put it together with the Freedom 250 group. You know, we're just proud to be Americans. Everyone should be proud to be American.”

In a reel posted on various social handles, including the one shared by The Big Weekend Show, the simulator could be seen as a standout attraction. According to the host, Joey Jones, the simulator was attracting more than 800 people every hour, with long lines forming outside the exhibit. This was also later confirmed by Childress as well.

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason