The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is fresh off its third new track of the 2026 season. INDYCAR took over the streets of Washington D.C. for 147 laps of non-stop action. This past weekend marked the longest race distance for a street course, with a total 250 miles. The Freedom 250 was also the first race the take place in Washington since the Grand Prix of Washington D.C. American Le Mans Series race.
Kyle Kirkwood Returns To The Top Step in Washington
Andretti Global’s own Kyle Kirkwood found himself returning to victory lane on Sunday after emerging as the winner of the Freedom 250. Kirkwood’s first win of the season was at the Grand Prix of Arlington, the first of three new street courses on the 2026 calendar. With a handful of podium finishes and a brief stint as the championship leader, Kirkwood extended his record to seven wins as an Andretti driver.
Kirkwood led 128 laps out of 147. He makes history as the winner of the first professional motorsports race ever held on the streets of Washington D.C.
Major Collision Ends Race For Two Drivers
There were a few yellow flags brought out throughout the race but the biggest incident of the day stemmed from a crash involving David Malukas and Sting Ray Robb. On lap 36, Malukas was coming around the final corner of the track when he clipped the inside wall which sent him spinning into the outside wall. The No. 12 car sustained extensive damage.
Sting Ray Robb was right behind Malukas when the incident happened resulting in him colliding with the Penske driver, unaware that Malukas’ car was there. This brought out the third caution of the race but the first one for an issue bigger than cleaning up debris. Malukas and Robb were the first retirements of Sunday’s race.
Early Exit For The Championship Leader
Current championship leader Álex Palou has been on the hunt for his fifth IndyCar Championship win all season long. His race however, came to an early end in Washington as well. Palou ended up under investigation by Race Control after hitting the tire setup in Mick Schumacher’s pit box. Palou was given a drive through penalty for this.
Later on, with 25 laps left of the race Palou spun out and hit the wall in Turn 3. He safely brought the car back into the pits with severe wing damage. He rejoined the race but finished three laps down resulting in a P20 finish.
Career Best Finish For Nolan Siegel
The team over at Arrow McLaren had plenty to celebrate after the race. Christian Lundgaard ended up on the podium with a P2 finish bringing his season’s race record to four podiums and two wins for the team. Additionally Nolan Siegel saw very promising result at the end of the race.
Siegel started the race from 18th despite qualifying in 12th after receiving a penalty for an unapproved engine change. He worked his way up 12 places to earn a sixth place finish. This is Siegel’s career best finish since becoming a full-time INDYCAR driver during the later half of the 2024 season.
INDYCAR’s next stop is in Milwaukee this weekend for a double-header at the Milwaukee Mile.