This might be the only time you’ll see race cars speeding up Pennsylvania Avenue

On July 4, America's 250th birthday, IndyCar is bringing its Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. to the nation's capital. This inaugural event is considered a unique opportunity to watch race cars speeding down Pennsylvania Avenue. The event spans two days, from Saturday, August 22, to Sunday, August 23.

On Saturday, drivers practice on the course before the qualifiers, which determine the starting grid. An International Race of Champions also takes place, featuring legends such as Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, and Tony Kanaan. The official Freedom Grand Prix occurs on Sunday, August 23, with a warm-up session beforehand.

The 1.7-mile course winds through the National Mall, passing by the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and other landmarks. The race begins and ends on 3rd Street across from the Capitol building, with seven turns along Pennsylvania Avenue, 9th and 7th Streets, and Independence Avenue. Racers will complete 147 laps to cover the symbolic 250 miles, with the race likely lasting around 3 hours.

The 25-person roster of participating drivers includes current frontrunner Álex Palou, Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and Pato O’Ward, among others. President Trump is expected to attend the event, marking the first time he has visited the race.

To watch the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, Saturday's first practice begins at 9:05 a.m. ET on Fox Sports 1, followed by the second practice at 1:05 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2. The NTT IndyCar Series Qualifier airs at 5:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2. The pre-show for Sunday's race starts at 11:30 a.m. ET on Fox, with the green flag waving at 1:10 p.m. ET to start the race. Cord-cutters can watch live on services like Fubo.