The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend in Washington D.C. is expanding. Several racing legends will join the NTT IndyCar Series festivities while showcasing some classic cars.
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The International Race of Champions (IROC) Series, which NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham revived, will hold an exhibition race on the streets of Washington D.C. while serving as a companion to IndyCar. A group of racing legends will compete in IROC Pontiac Firebirds that raced in the series from 1996-2006.
The group of drivers includes NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace, and Bill Elliott. They will compete alongside Indianapolis 500 champions Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti.
The IROC drivers will practice on the 1.7-mile street course located in the heart of Washington D.C. on Saturday, Aug. 22. They will then race on the purpose-built course while speeding past such landmarks as the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol.
Photo credit: IndyCar
One day later, the IndyCar teams will race on the course as part of a historic weekend. Series officials have not yet provided a start time for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Announced back in March, this street race in Washington D.C. is a late addition to the IndyCar schedule. It will be free and open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to watch some of the biggest stars in open-wheel racing take on the a truly unique course.
This race will continue a string of events highlighting 250 years of the United States. The UFC also held a fight night on the White House lawn, headlined by Justin Gaethje winning the undisputed lightweight title with a fourth-round TKO of Ilia Topuria.
"The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend represents a truly unique opportunity for motorsports and our country," Evernham said in a press release.
"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."
