Same but different: How Freedom 250 and Detroit Grand Prix compare.

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The NTT IndyCar Freedom 250 race around the National mall was one of the most electric races in the history of American motorsport. Like the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend, it was a stage unlike any other ― its trophy coveted by drivers and teams.

In execution, however, D.C.’s street race celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday was similar to Penske Entertainment’s annual home race, the Detroit Grand Prix.

The traveling IndyCar circus is the world’s most challenging race series because it tests drivers (and organizers) on venues from 240-mph ovals to writhing road courses to gritty street courses.  This year, IndyCar had five urban slugfests on its 18-race calendar: St. Petersburg, Florida; Long Beach, California; Markham, Ontario; Detroit and D.C.

The latter pair have the most in common. “The track is a lot like Detroit, actually,” said Indy 500 winner and Andretti Global ace Marcus Ericsson in a trackside D.C. interview. “Very bumpy with a long front straight that is the best spot to pass.”

A comparison of the unlikely fraternal twins:

Both the Freedom 250 and Detroit GP are very aware of their optics. Detroit is built around the Renaissance Center, one of the most imposing, recognizable skyscrapers in North America.

The Freedom 250 layout was originally supposed to take place on Capitol Hill between the Capitol nuilding and the Supreme Court on 1st Street. Politics nixed that and organizers settled for the National Mall. The backdrop was still extraordinary:

• Turn One with a Capitol backdrop
• Pits off Pennsylvania Avenue main straightaway in front of the National Gallery of Art
• Turns 2 and 3 splitting the National Archives and the Department of Justice. Back straight on Independence Avenue in the shadow of the Air & Space Museum’s three monolithic facades.

“Jumping into the car on pit lane and looking down at the Capitol, its spectacular,” said Ericsson. “Super cool, and for our sport a ginormous opportunity for us to reach new fans.”

Both venues demanded unique logistics.

Running ‘round RenCen means the Detroit GP has to keep an international border crossing open. For three days, vehicles continue to cross between the United States and Canada via the Detroit-Windsor Tunned. Emerge from Canada and head east on Jefferson Avenue going 35 mph. In the westbound lanes? IndyCars doing 180.

Washington’s patchwork of federal land, city streets and historic buildings meant that Penske Entertainment had to get a staggering 1,350 permits approved.

Both circuits are 1.7 miles long. On gridded streets with 90-degree turns and little elevation change. Detroit requires sealing 162 manhole covers (lest IndyCars’ aerodynamics suck them out of the ground). The D.C. track? 200 covers were secured. Chip Ganassi Racing star Alex Palou won pole in Detroit this summer with a lap time of 1.01.9 minutes (96 mph average speed). Palou won pole in D.C. with a lap time of 56.9 seconds (108 mph average). Detroit top speed is 180 mph, D.C. 170.

Both tracks are very bumpy.

That’s expected in Detroit, given our brutal freeze-thaw seasons. But Washington’s moderate climate promised smoother thoroughfares like St Petersburg or Long Beach. Didn’t happen. Especially difficult were bumps into Turn 6 on Independence Avenue at 140 mph and Turn 2 at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue at 170 mph. As Ericsson predicted, the latter was the best place to pass if you could brave the bump.

“You get a concussion every lap,” complained driver Louis Foster after qualifying.

Detroit has a reputation as a dysfunctional town, but it’s a piker compared with D.C. Like Detroit mayors, D.C.’s Muriel Bowser embraced a race estimated to bring the region over $100 million in spending from 150,000 visitors and flush sponsors. Still, both events ran into local conservationist opposition. Penske moved downtown from Belle Isle in 2023 in part due to activists protesting use of the bucolic park. In D.C., a group called the Living New Deal protested that vibrations from screaming IndyCars would damage art.

But D.C. has another layer of politics: Congress v. White House.

Advertising is prohibited on Capitol Hill, and Senate Democrats refused to give IndyCar a waiver for their sponsor-wrapped cars. Despite over 80 trips to the Hill by Penske President Bud Denker and his team, the GP hit a roadblock until President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January moving the race to the Mall.

The politics even sucked in drivers, a rare feat in motorsports.

"While you struggle with the cost of gas, Trump offers you the spectacle of an IndyCar race hoping you will not notice," Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, complained Sunday, August 23 on Twitter. "More taxpayer money spent on his self-aggrandizing distractions. And you get higher taxes and higher costs."

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal responded: "No, no, Adam. He wanted you to notice and bask in the pride of being AMERICAN, watch great racing and patriotism on display. Not only that, this was privately funded, not government although it drove thousands of folks to the DC area that have never been (that’s economic impact for you).”

Over three days, the 2026 Detroit race drew 156,000 fans to downtown Detroit. The Freedom 250 stuffed 150,000 fans into the National Mall over two days. General admission tickets were free, as they are for Friday Frix Prix in Detroit.

The Detroit GP gets a flyover from Air Force F-16s. The Freedom 250 featured F-22 fighters, B1/B2/B-52 bombers and Air Force One.

The bumpy track and close concrete barriers meant six caution periods over the Freedom GP’s 250 miles. Detroit had six cautions over 165 miles.

Honda-powered IndyCars have spoiled sponsor Chevrolet’s home Grand Prix all four years it’s been held downtown. Honda power won the inaugural Freedom 250 too. Engineers credit Honda engines’ superior fuel efficiency, which gives them a leg up on thirsty street circuits (Honda teams have won all five street races this year).

Then again, only Honda has Kyle Kirkwood, considered the series’ best street racer. He won Detroit in 2025 and D.C. this year.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Same but different: How Freedom 250 and Detroit Grand Prix compare.