liveUpdated 4m agoFollow our live coverage of the IndyCar's race through the streets of Washington, D.C.The Athletic Live TeamAugust 23, 2026 at 9:35 AM EDTA fan paints on a sign as in the fan zone before the start of the NTT INDYCAR Series Freedom 250. Getty ImagesIndyCar Freedom 250 — LatestThe IndyCar Series continues to Washington, D.C., with the Freedom 250 race in the nation’s capital. It is the first time D.C. has hosted an IndyCar race.Alex Palou is looking for his seventh race win of the 2026 IndyCar season. Follow our writers for news, updates and analysis from the start of the race to the checkered flag. Time: 1:13 p.m. ET (10:13 a.m. PT)TV: FoxStreaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now)Get involved in our discussion tab or by emailing us at live@theathletic.comSKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementWhere is today's race? Getty ImagesToday’s IndyCar Freedom 250 will take place in Washington, D.C, the capital of the United States.With the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument in the backdrop, this 1.7-mile track features seven turns right in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. It’s a street circuit located in the heart of the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, making this a fascinating test for the drivers.Subscribe to The Athletic The AthleticThis is an excellent time of year to be a sports fan. The English Premier League is back in full swing. Formula 1 and other motorsports seasons are winding down. NHL, NBA and NFL regular seasons are fast approaching. Oh, and don’t forget about the U.S. Open tennis Grand Slam from Flushing Meadows, N.Y.You should definitely have a subscription to The Athletic if you want the highest quality of sports journalism. Get your subscription here. Beautiful start to the day Jeff Gluck / The AthleticIt's a beautiful day in D.C., and fans have already filled the available grandstands within an hour of the gates opening. Most fans will now arrive to learn that they have to stand along the fence to see the cars today; the free tickets offered to the public are certainly being used. Meanwhile, drivers are about to get on track for their morning warmup session.How to watch today's race Getty ImagesToday’s IndyCar Freedom 250 is available to watch on Fox. The booth commentators will be Will Buxton (announcer), Townsend Bell (color) and James Hinchcliffe (color).What time is today's race? Getty ImagesToday’s green flag drops at 1:13 p.m. ET, marking the start of the IndyCar Freedom 250 race. That is 10:13 a.m. on the West Coast. SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementWelcome to our live coverage! Getty ImagesGreetings, racing fans! Welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of today’s IndyCar Freedom 250 race.As the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary, many sporting events are promoting the semi-quincentennial celebration. IndyCar is no exception as drivers race in the nation’s capital. With four races left in the IndyCar season, it promises to be an exciting one. Follow our live coverage from pre-race news to play-by-play commentary of all the laps to post-race analysis.