Freedom 250 Grand Prix Sees Kyle Kirkwood Take the Win

On August 23, 2026, American IndyCar racer Kyle Kirkwood emerged victorious at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix held in Washington, D.C.

Kirkwood, one of the few American competitors in the event, quickly overtook Spanish driver Álex Palou and successfully held on to the lead throughout the race.

“It felt great to dominate out there; honestly, I can’t lie,” Kirkwood shared with a reporter after the race, referencing President Donald Trump. “It was an amazing moment. I’m from Florida too, living in Jupiter, so it’s neat to see him here.”

He continued, “If you can’t win at the 500, this is definitely the place to be. I don’t know if we’ll get another shot like this—I really hope we do. This was awesome. A dream come true, for sure.”

This race marked Kirkwood’s second win of the season, adding to his earlier success at the Grand Prix of Arlington. Now, at 27 years old, he has seven career victories, with six achieved on street circuits.

Before the race commenced, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took a ceremonial lap in “The Beast,” after which the president waved the green flag to signal the start of the race.

As Kirkwood crossed the finish line, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy waved the checkered flag.

“Congratulations to Kyle Kirkwood for making history as the winner of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix!” Duffy posted on social media after the event.

With three races left in the IndyCar season, the upcoming weekend features a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile, followed by the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 6.