Championship points leader Alex Palou wins the pole position for the Freedom 250, his seventh pole start this season. Kyle Kirkwood also earns a front-row starting spot for the IndyCar Series race on the streets of Washington, D.C.
Kyffin Simpson had a time to advance into the second round but crashed, throwing it out and sending him toward the rear of the field. Will Power, Marcus Ericsson, Rinus VeeKay make wall contact during qualifying. Graham Rahal made significant contact in the second practice session.
Santino Ferrucci faces a 6-position grid penalty for excessive engine changes through the season.
IndyCar is on a new street course for the second consecutive weekend, this time for a 147-lap race on a 7-turn, 1.7-mile layout, the longest street-course race in series history.
Last weekend’s race in Canada provided a lot of action as Palou extended his championship points lead. Kirkwood, David Malukas and Christian Lundgaard are in a tight race for second place.
Who won pole position for the IndyCar race DC? IndyCar starting grid for Freedom 250
(*-Includes 6-position grid penalty for excessive engine changes)
When does the IndyCar Series race in Washington D.C.? IndyCar schedule for the Freedom 250
(All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live, IndyCar Radio and Sirius XM Channel 218)
Sunday, Aug. 23
Watch auto racing with a Fubo trial
IndyCar TV schedule this weekend: How to watch the Freedom 250 in Washington D.C.?
Predictions for Freedom 250 IndyCar race at Washington D.C. from IndyStar’s Zion Brown
How much are Freedom 250 tickets? How much are tickets for the IndyCar race in DC?
IndyCar tickets for Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C.
Who won the IndyCar DC in 2025?
This is the first race in the nation’s capital.
Who is leading IndyCar? 2026 IndyCar points, standings, results
Alex Palou has won six races, Josef Newgarden and Christian Lundgaard two each, and Kyle Kirkwood, Felix Rosenqvist, Pato O’Ward and Marcus Ericsson one each. (Points are for full-season entrants)
How can I stream the IndyCar DC race? How to stream the Freedom 250 IndyCar?
FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app
Watch IndyCar action on Fubo
How can I listen to IndyCar DC race Freedom 250?
IndyCar Nation is on SiriusXM Channel 218, IndyCar Live and the IndyCar Radio Network (check affiliates for each race). Mark Jaynes is the anchor, with driver analyst Davey Hamilton.
Will it rain during the IndyCar race at Washington, D.C.? Weather Washington, D.C., forecast for IndyCar race
IndyCar schedule 2026; when is the Washington DC IndyCar race?
(*-street course; ^-road course; #-oval; all races on Fox, SiriusXM Channel 218; times are start of TV coverage, ET)
IndyCar Series teams, drivers in 2026
(with team, car number and driver)
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar DC race starting grid: Pole position, qualifying results, start time
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Reporting by Scott Horner and Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Scott Horner and Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
