International Race of Champions
IROC Battle for Unser Family Cup Ends in Photo Finish
Aug 15, 2026
Blending speed, strategy and consistency, IROC Presented by Chevrolet will crown its 2026 champion through a unique two-race format Saturday at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend will feature a pair of action-packed championship races on Saturday, Aug. 22, as some of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR, INDYCAR and Sports car history return to competition on the streets of Washington, D.C. Fans along the 1.7-mile street circuit around the National Mall will see NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott share the track with Indianapolis 500 winners and INDYCAR standouts Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves. Former Trans Am Series champion and Motorsport Hall of Famer Tommy Kendall has also been announced as an addition to this weekend’s lineup, replacing Dario Franchitti. Kendall, the four-time Trans Am Series champ and one of the most popular IROC racing veterans, will complete a star-studded field at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Racing historic Pontiac Firebirds that were featured in IROC competition from 1996-2006, some of racing’s true legends will compete in a unique two-race format that will determine the 2026 IROC Champion on Saturday.
The IROC championship weekend begins Saturday, Aug. 22, with two practice sessions from 10:40-11 a.m. and 12:25-12:45 p.m., followed by a pair of 20-minute timed races that will help crown the 2026 IROC Champion. Race 1 will feature a starting order set by random draw, while Race 2 will invert the finishing order from the opening race, placing an added premium on speed, skill and consistency. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the field of motorsports legends during free autograph sessions alongside the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from 11:25 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. in both the STARS and STRIPES ticket areas at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
The first IROC race of the weekend will stream live at 3 p.m. on FOX One and the FOX Sports app, while Race 2 will get the green flag at 4 p.m. FS1 will also feature a tape-delayed broadcast of the IROC races on the streets of Washington D.C. on Sunday, Aug. 23, leading into FOX's enhanced Freedom 250 Grand Prix pre-race coverage beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 1 p.m. ET.
“Fans are going to see two intense IROC races at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix where every position matters and every pass can make a difference in the championship,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. “This format creates nonstop action from the moment the green flag waves and it gives the fans that are part of this historic event the opportunity to see some of racing’s biggest stars compete for wins and a championship all in one weekend.”
If either IROC race is under caution when the 20-minute time limit expires, the event will conclude with a green-white-checkered flag finish to ensure the battle for victory ends under green-flag conditions.
The top three finishers in each race will be recognized on the podium and awarded medals, while each race winner will receive a Race Winner Trophy.
The 2026 IROC Champion will be determined by a low-points scoring system, with drivers earning points equal to their finishing position in each race. For example, a race victory earns one point, second place earns two points and so on. After both races are complete, the driver with the lowest combined point total will be crowned the 2026 IROC Champion and awarded the 2026 IROC Championship Trophy.
The two-race format promises intense competition as drivers balance the pursuit of race victories with the consistency needed to claim the coveted IROC Presented by Chevrolet championship during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend.
To learn more about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, visit www.Freedom250GP.com.
For more information on IROC Presented by Chevrolet, visit www.iroc-racing.com.
ABOUT THE FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., will take place Aug. 22-23, 2026, marking the first‑ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the National Mall and the Washington D.C. city streets. The event will be administered by INDYCAR in coordination with the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior and Washington, D.C.’s Executive Office of the Mayor. The free, two-day motorsports event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with world‑class racing set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The unique street race will be broadcast live on FOX on Sunday, August 23. To learn more, visit www.Freedom250GP.com.
ABOUT THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, featuring a talented field of star drivers competing on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDYCAR, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com.
-Freedom 250 Grand Prix Release
