WASHINGTON, D.C. — Adding racing royalty to an already historic weekend, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix announced the addition of the legendary International Race of Champions, bringing together an all-star lineup of motorsports icons for a special exhibition during the Aug. 22-23 event on the streets of Washington D.C.
The IROC Presented by Chevrolet lineup for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend will feature a star-studded collection of motorsports legends, including champions and some of the biggest stars in NASCAR and IndyCar history.
Former NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott will race on the 1.7-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit around the National Mall, alongside IndyCar greats and Indianapolis 500 champions Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti.
The drivers will compete in authentic IROC Pontiac Firebirds that raced in series competition from 1996 through 2006.
With the addition of IROC, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend will deliver an unmatched combination of past and present, as legends of the sport return to the spotlight alongside today’s racing stars competing in the NTT IndyCar Series.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman acquired the rights to the IROC brand and revived the series, bringing some of racing’s living legends together for special exhibition races at select motorsports events.
“The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend represents a truly unique opportunity for motorsports and our country,” said Evernham. “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 honored to have IROC included in the festivities and we look forward to putting on a great show for the fans.”
The IROC legends will practice and race on the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit on Saturday, Aug. 22.
“We are proud to welcome the International Race of Champions to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend, as we honor racing history by bringing some of the sport’s greatest heroes to this already legendary weekend,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. “IROC has always represented the best of the best, bringing together champions from across motorsports 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.”
