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Top Two Title Fighters Dominate Historic Opening Practice in D.C.
Highlights
- Kyle Kirkwood led practice with fastest lap, beating Alex Palou.
- Practice run on challenging 1.7-mile Washington, D.C. street circuit.
- Honda-powered cars secured four of five top fastest practice times.
- Track conditions dried quickly, prompting early switch to slick tires.
- Freedom 250 race set for Sunday, live on FOX at 11:30 a.m.
Kyle Kirkwood sets pace in opening practice for Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning, edging points leader Alex Palou.
The pair head a field debuting on the capital’s temporary 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit. The session establishes an early competitive benchmark on unfamiliar terrain.
Practice runs 64 minutes, split into three groups. Kirkwood posts 57.3744s in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda, with Palou next at 57.6123s in the No. 10 OpenAI Ganassi Honda.
Palou leads the standings by 133 points over Kirkwood. He targets a fourth consecutive Astor Challenge Cup, underlining Ganassi’s street-course authority this season.
The layout threads near the National Mall and the Capitol. Palou praises the proximity and flow. Rookie Dennis Hauger impresses, third at 57.7381s in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda.
Kirkwood’s 57.3744s sets the first Washington, D.C. benchmark of the weekend.
Dale Coyne Racing’s momentum persists. Hauger builds on Romain Grosjean’s Markham podium. David Malukas is fourth at 57.7457s for Team Penske’s Chevrolet-powered entry.
Markham winner Marcus Ericsson completes the top five at 57.8009s for Andretti Global. Honda power locks out four of the top five, continuing a street-circuit trend this year.
Honda engines have won all five street races so far in 2026.
Honda engines win all five prior street races in 2026. Drivers also sweep three of the last four street podiums, echoing momentum from its Honda F1 comeback.
Early rain forces everyone onto Firestone Firehawk rain tyres. As the surface dries, Christian Lundgaard gambles first on slicks after roughly 25 minutes. Lap times immediately drop by almost four seconds.
The circuit remains demanding. Bumps in the Turn 2 and Turn 6 braking zones unsettle cars, complicating braking references and traction. Palou expects the features to enliven racecraft.
Bumps at Turns 2 and 6 challenge braking stability and traction, raising the risk-reward balance.
Light brushes with concrete punctuate the hour. Lundgaard, Will Power, and Christian Rasmussen require quick rear-corner repairs, but all resume without major consequence.
The 147-lap Freedom 250 ranks as IndyCar’s second-longest temporary street race. Live coverage starts Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX One, and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.
For background on the new event’s logistics and format, see the historic DC race weekend. The showcase also draws political attention in Washington amid its downtown footprint.
Visual Summary
Kirkwood’s Capitol Coup
Edges Palou for fastest lap in historic, rain-soaked DC showdown.
Honda sweeps top spots.
🏁
Kirkwood
57.3744s
P1
P1
vs
👑
Palou
57.6123s
P2
P2
🌧️
Rain start
Rain start
⟶
☀️
Sun & Slicks
Sun & Slicks
STREET TRACK DOMINANCE
5/5 races ➜ Honda win
4 of Top 5 ⦿ podium sweeps ⦿ comeback
🛤️
Bumps, rain & concrete barriers: Welcome to the DC gauntlet!
⚡
Rookie Dennis Hauger stuns with P3
Malukas & Ericsson round out Top 5
Minor scrapes for Lundgaard, Power, and Rasmussen
Malukas & Ericsson round out Top 5
Minor scrapes for Lundgaard, Power, and Rasmussen
Next: Freedom 250 | 147 laps Sunday |
11:30 a.m. ET on FOX
11:30 a.m. ET on FOX
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
