The revived International Race of Champions (IROC) will return to one of motorsport’s most distinctive settings this summer, with organisers confirming an exhibition race as part of the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend on the streets of Washington, D.C.
The support event, scheduled for Saturday, 22 August, will see a collection of legendary names from both NASCAR and IndyCar compete in identical classic IROC machinery around the new 1.7-mile temporary street circuit, adding another high-profile attraction to what promises to be one of the most ambitious race weekends in recent American motorsport history.
Led by former NASCAR crew chief and championship-winning team owner Ray Evernham, the modern incarnation of IROC aims to celebrate one of racing’s most iconic concepts: placing champions from different disciplines into equal equipment to determine who can adapt and perform best.
Star-studded driver line-up
Fans can expect an impressive blend of stock car and open-wheel legends.
Among those confirmed from NASCAR are four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, former champions Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace, and 1988 title winner Bill Elliott.
Representing IndyCar will be an equally distinguished trio of Indianapolis 500 winners: Hélio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, and Dario Franchitti, all of whom enjoyed lengthy and successful careers in North America’s premier open-wheel championship.
Confirmed IROC participants
| Driver | Discipline | Major achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gordon | NASCAR | Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion |
| Kurt Busch | NASCAR | NASCAR Cup Series champion |
| Bobby Labonte | NASCAR | NASCAR Cup Series champion |
| Rusty Wallace | NASCAR | NASCAR Cup Series champion |
| Bill Elliott | NASCAR | 1988 NASCAR Cup Series champion |
| Hélio Castroneves | IndyCar | Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner |
| Tony Kanaan | IndyCar | Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar champion |
| Dario Franchitti | IndyCar | Four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner |
Additional participants are expected to be announced closer to the event.
A celebrated motorsport tradition
IROC occupies a unique place in American racing history.
Originally launched in 1974, the championship ran annually until 2006, inviting champions from multiple disciplines—including NASCAR, IndyCar, sports cars and Formula One—to compete in identical machinery. By removing engineering advantages, the series placed the emphasis squarely on driver ability.
The championship became renowned for producing memorable battles between some of the greatest names in world motorsport, and its revival has sought to recapture that spirit through carefully selected exhibition events.
Ray Evernham believes Washington’s inaugural IndyCar weekend provides an ideal stage for the series.
“The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend represents a truly unique opportunity for motorsports and our country,” Evernham said.
“To see IndyCar and IROC race on such hallowed ground, against the backdrop of some of our nation’s most iconic landmarks, will be something truly special for competitors and fans alike.
“We are honoured to have IROC included in the festivities and we look forward to putting on a great show for the fans.”
Racing through America’s capital
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will mark IndyCar’s first visit to the streets of the United States capital, with organisers unveiling an ambitious temporary circuit that showcases many of Washington’s most recognisable landmarks.
The 1.7-mile street course winds its way around the National Mall and incorporates a 0.4-mile section of Pennsylvania Avenue, offering a spectacular backdrop unlike any other on the IndyCar calendar.
Drivers will race past several internationally recognised monuments and museums, transforming the heart of the capital into a temporary motorsport venue.
Key circuit highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 1.7 miles |
| Venue | Streets of Washington, D.C. |
| Signature section | 0.4 miles along Pennsylvania Avenue |
| Notable landmarks | U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, National Mall, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Archives |
| IROC event | Saturday, 22 August |
The combination of fast boulevards, heavy braking zones and iconic scenery is expected to create one of the most visually striking events in American motorsport.
Celebrating racing’s past and present
Freedom 250 Grand Prix chairman Bud Denker believes the inclusion of IROC enhances an already landmark occasion by bringing together multiple generations of racing talent.
“We are proud to welcome the International Race of Champions to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend, as we honour racing history by bringing some of the sport’s greatest heroes to this already legendary weekend,” Denker said.
“IROC has always represented the best of the best, bringing together champions from across motorsport to compete on equal footing.
“From the current IndyCar stars to former NASCAR and IndyCar champions, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be a celebration of racing’s past and present competing at one of the most iconic settings in the world.”
With current IndyCar competition forming the centrepiece of the weekend and IROC adding a nostalgic showcase featuring some of America’s greatest racing champions, the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix is shaping up to be far more than a conventional race meeting. Instead, it promises to be a celebration of motorsport heritage, bringing together legendary competitors and a spectacular city-centre venue in an event unlike any previously staged in the nation’s capital.