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Posted on 06/25/2026 6:38:08 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 25, 2026) – Adding racing royalty to an already historic weekend, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix today announced the addition of the legendary International Race of Champions (IROC), bringing together an all-star lineup of motorsports icons for a special exhibition during the Aug. 22-23 event on the streets of Washington D.C.
The IROC Presented by Chevrolet lineup for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend will feature a star-studded collection of motorsports legends, including champions and some of the biggest stars in NASCAR and INDYCAR history. Former NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott will race on the 1.7-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit around the National Mall, alongside INDYCAR greats and Indianapolis 500 champions Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti. The drivers will compete in authentic IROC Pontiac Firebirds that raced in series competition from 1996 through 2006.
With the addition of IROC, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend will deliver an unmatched combination of past and present, as legends of the sport return to the spotlight alongside today’s racing stars competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. With world-class racing from INDYCAR and IROC set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will provide a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Originally launched in 1973, IROC gained worldwide recognition as a premier all-star competition, uniting top drivers from racing disciplines including NASCAR, INDYCAR, Formula 1 and sports car racing to compete in identical cars, placing the focus entirely on driver skill. NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman acquired the rights to the IROC brand and revived the series, bringing some of racing’s living legends together for special exhibition races at select motorsports events.
“The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend represents a truly unique opportunity for motorsports and our country,” said Ray Evernham, Co-Principal of IROC. “To see INDYCAR and IROC race on such hallowed ground, against the backdrop of some of our nation's most iconic landmarks, will be something truly special for competitors and fans alike. We are honored to have IROC included in the festivities and we look forward to putting on a great show for the fans.”
The addition of IROC enhances an already dynamic weekend in the nation’s capital, offering fans a rare opportunity to see some of the sport’s most celebrated champions compete in a format that has long been regarded as the “champion of champions” showdown.
The IROC legends will practice and race on the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit on Saturday, Aug. 22. The former INDYCAR and NASCAR star drivers competing in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IROC race will also host a free autograph session for fans on Saturday.
“We are proud to welcome the International Race of Champions to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend, as we honor racing history by bringing some of the sport’s greatest heroes to this already legendary weekend,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. “IROC has always represented the best of the best, bringing together champions from across motorsports to compete on equal footing. From the current INDYCAR stars to former NASCAR and INDYCAR champions, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be a celebration of racing’s past and present competing at one of the most iconic settings in the world.”
Set against the backdrop of the National Mall, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will mark the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the streets of Washington, D.C., serving as a centerpiece of the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The free, two-day motorsports festival is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans to the nation’s capital, blending North America’s premier open-wheel racing series with historic pageantry.
The 1.7-mile, seven-turn Freedom 250 Grand Prix course will wind through the heart of Washington, D.C., circling the National Mall with cars racing alongside some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. The street circuit will feature a high-speed 0.4-mile run down Pennsylvania Avenue, dramatically framed by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Pit lane will sit just off the straight between Turns 1 and 2, keeping the crews and cars at the center of the action. The drivers will speed past landmarks including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives, creating a course that blends technical challenge with an unmistakable and historic backdrop.
To learn more about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, visit www.Freedom250GP.com.
To learn more about IROC Presented by Chevrolet, visit www.iroc-racing.com.
ABOUT THE FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIXThe Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., will take place Aug. 22-23, 2026, marking the first‑ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the National Mall and the Washington D.C. city streets. The event will be administered by INDYCAR in coordination with the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor. The free, two-day motorsports event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with world‑class racing set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The unique street race will be broadcast live on FOX on Sunday, August 23. To learn more, visit www.Freedom250GP.com.
ABOUT THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESThe NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, featuring a talented field of star drivers competing on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDYCAR, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com.
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Under FIA rules, Gordon, Labonte, Wallace, and Elliott are classified as amateurs. The event is part of the INDYCAR Freedom 250 GP.
I got tickets in the lottery and will be on hand both days!!! I wish they would announce times of Indy Qualy and the race so i can make my travel arrangements...
Looking forward to it- but it won’t compare to this year’s Indy 500, which i attended...
I also intend to walk around the Reflecting Pool and harass and liberals i see trying to destroy it...
The start time will be made after the NFL determines NFL preseason game assignments for Fox, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. Fox wants an evening game for their preseason so they can have the start time for the race set. Similarly, Fox is holding off on the INDYCAR Nashville race start time since it will be after the World Cup Final.
Now that is hilarious!!
Some of us remember the IROC-Z Camaros….. favorites of the mullet and mustache class!
Sweet!
Jeff, Bobby, Rusty, and Bill are “Tier 2 Series Champions” (Gold), but by age rules (Jeff as of August 4) are classified as Silver (Jeff) or Bronze (the other Cup champions listed over 60). As such, they are not eligible for professional driver status and are taking advantage of the rule to race in amateur races.
Cup champions at minimum are GOLD but may be PLATINUM.
Drivers upon 55 become at maximum SILVER. Jimmie Johnson with seven titles will not turn Silver until he is 60.
I had one, minus the mullet. Don’t remember an IROC Firebird. I know the old Trans Am series had Firebirds, Camaros, Mustangs, Cudas, Javelins and Challengers. But I think all the IROCs were Camaros.
they cut short the Indy 500 post race for a UFL game!!! (Despite the fact 8 million people were watching)
Thanks for that explanation, WHB.
Yep, back in the 80's, when you saw "IROC" on the side of a Camaro it stood for something:
Illiterate Redneck Out Cruisin'
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