Historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix garnered historic TV audience

Posted by Talbot Payne on September 2, 2026

Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the #27 Sam's Club Andretti Global Honda, celebrates with an eagle after winning the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the #27 Sam’s Club Andretti Global Honda, celebrates with an eagle after winning the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

Finn Gomez, Getty Images

The race was a spectacle. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser presided over the traditional calling of drivers to their cars. Drivers from 15 countries reveled in a backdrop that included the Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, National Gallery of Art and Air & Space Museum. Spectators ogled seven flyovers featuring everything from the B-2 stealth bomber to F-22 fighters to Air Force One — not including a bald eagle that joined the winner’s podium.

Penske Corp. estimates the race brought in $100 million-$200 million in economic benefit to the D.C. region in addition to global exposure.

The Freedom 250 GP was vigorously opposed by congressional Democrats, who called it a vanity project for President Donald Trump, and the race would not have been run were it not for an executive order from the White House.

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