Washington, D.C.'s first IndyCar race packed the National Mall

IndyCar drivers zoomed past some of the nation's most famous landmarks this weekend. They faced novel challenges on an unconventional route.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6500x4336+0+0/resize/6500x4336!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2F64%2Fdc815562454f8624b06352288624%2F2026-08-23t172419z-1433634873-rc2h4na1gish-rtrmadp-3-usa-250-grand-prix.JPG' alt='Drivers take part in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar Series race in Washington, D.C., Aug. 23, 2026.'/><p>IndyCar drivers zoomed past some of the nation's most famous landmarks this weekend. They faced novel challenges on an unconventional route.</p><p>(Image credit: Nathan Howard)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5939827' />