​President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed some top IndyCar racers to the White House for a ceremony ahead of the Freedom250 Grand Prix that will take place next month in downtown Washington, D.C.“I’m thrilled to be here with some of the most extraordinary figures in the history of motorsports, and any sport, if you think about it, as we count down to the Freedom250 Grand Prix, this will be like no other race ever,” Trump said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrump signed an executive order in January authorizing the race as part of the nation’s 250th celebrations.The race will take place around the National Mall in Washington on Aug. 22 and 23. The 1.7-mile track will take racers along Pennsylvania Avenue with the U.S. Capitol in the background.A pit crew changes the tires of a race car driven by IndyCar Series driver David Malukas during an event on West Executive Drive with President Donald Trump at the White House to promote the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. | Julia Demaree NikhinsonTickets to the event are free and the race will be broadcast on Fox Sports.Trump was joined by top-ranking driver Álex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas. He also was joined by Roger Penske, owner of IndyCar, Bud Denker, president of the Penske Corporation, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, and General Motors President Mark Reuss, as well as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“When you think about America 250, you also think about cars, and when you think about cars, you do think about freedom. This all goes together,” Duffy said.A helmet ad sign are pictured on West Executive Drive at the White House before a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. | Alex BrandonDuffy noted that the Transportation Department was working with Penske and having meetings with Capitol Hill, trying to make the event happen. They hit some “problems” getting lawmakers on board and they hit a “roadblock.” Duffy said he then called Trump to get the event to happen.Penske said it was an honor to be part of the celebrations surrounding America’s 250th.President Donald Trump, second right, speaks with Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, from left, Bud Denker, Freedom 250 Grand Prix chair and Penske Corp. president, IndyCar Series driver David Malukas and Roger Penske, chairperson and founder of Penske Corp., on West Executive Drive at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. | Alex Brandon“I think it’s an opportunity to showcase the technology, the speed, the partnerships, and the athletes that make such a difference. We think about the Indy 500 as an iconic race, but this is going to move right up there next to it,” Penske said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe event Monday concluded with a racing team changing a