Pato O’Ward is ‘ready for the street fight’ at Freedom 250
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The first hour of practice wrapped at the IndyCar Freedom 250 with Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood topping the timing sheets ahead of the driver he is chasing in the title race, Alex Palou. But as expected, the big story after the 90-minute practice session was the track surface, and in particular the […]
On August 21, 2026, IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward arrived at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix track, located along the National Mall in Washington D.C., for the inaugural two-day street race. The event celebrates America's 250th anniversary. Following the 90-minute first practice session, the standout topic was the track's surface, particularly the large bumps drivers would encounter.
Championship leader Alex Palou highlighted the bumps at the turns, stating they would create good racing due to the difficulty in maintaining braking and traction. Palou also noted several overtaking opportunities, particularly at turns two, five, and potentially one. Pato O'Ward, who finished 18th in practice, described the track as having "character" and emphasized the need for drivers to stay hydrated due to the humid conditions.
Despite the challenges, O'Ward expressed readiness to face the "street fight," acknowledging the physical demands of the race. The event will conclude with qualifying on Saturday, August 23.
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