Washington D.C.
- Honda keeps their streak of inaugural race wins with Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood taking the win
- Will Power finishes third in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC
- Andretti Global's Marcus Ericsson drives from 21st to fourth in the Acura-sponsored Honda IndyCar
- Honda powers four of the top five, leads 144 of 147 laps
Kyle Kirkwood kept Honda's streak of inaugural and street course race wins alive with a thrilling victory in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC.
This victory means Honda has won every street circuit race on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season—as well as every debut street circuit event since the return of multi-manufacturer competition in the 2012 season. Kirkwood led 128 laps on the day, with Honda powered teams and drivers leading all but three of the 147 laps of the 250-mile race.
Honda teams and drivers have scored 15 of 18 possible podium positions on street circuits this year, as well as having led more than 90% of street circuit laps this year—543 of 597. Every Honda-powered team has led at least one lap and scored at least one podium finish in 2026.
For Kirkwood's part, this is his second race win of the year, both of which came on new street circuits—today on the National Mall and earlier this season in the first-ever Java House Grand Prix of Arlington in Texas. This victory today closes the gap in the championship from 133 to 91 as Kirkwood chases Alex Palou in the drivers' title fight. The two Honda-powered drivers of Palou and Kirkwood sit 110 and 19 points ahead of third, respectively.
Kirkwood's teammate Will Power scored yet another third-place finish for Andretti Global, giving the team a double podium on the day. While Marcus Ericsson made it an Andretti one, three, four. Ericsson drove from 21st to fourth in his Acura-sponsored Honda Indy car. The Acura entry celebrates not only 250 years of America, but 40 years of Acura since the brand's inception in 1986.
Kyffin Simpson scored fifth place for Chip Ganassi Racing, his second top-five finish of the year in an impressive drive from 23rd on the grid. While his CGR teammate Scott Dixon was seventh at the line.
Romain Grosjean came home tenth for Dale Coyne Racing, making it three Honda-powered teams in the top-10.
Honda now leads rival Chevrolet 1,316-1,110 in the manufacturers' championship with three races remaining over two final weekends.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC Honda Race Results
| 1st | Kyle Kirkwood | Andretti Global Honda |
| 3rd | Will Power | Andretti Global Honda |
| 4th | Marcus Ericsson | Andretti Global Honda |
| 5th | Kyffin Simpson | Chip Ganassi Racing Honda |
| 7th | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing Honda |
| 10th | Romain Grosjean | Dale Coyne Racing Honda |
| 11th | Mick Schumacher - R | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda |
| 13th | Graham Rahal | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda |
| 15th | Dennis Hauger - R | Dale Coyne Racing Honda |
| 17th | Marcus Armstrong | Meyer Shank Racing Honda |
| 18th | Louis Foster | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda |
| 19th | Felix Rosenqvist | Meyer Shank Racing Honda |
| 20th | Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing Honda |
R – Rookie
Quotes
Kyle Kirkwood (#27 Andretti Global Honda) finished first: "We just won here in DC! As an American, there's no race outside of the 500 I'd rather win—especially as a one-and-done deal. My Honda engine was giving me incredible power, but also great fuel economy, which was a really big part of the strategy today. Everything went perfect from our end on the Andretti side and also from the Honda side. What a great day!"
Will Power (#26 Andretti Global Honda) finished third: "This was an epic race for our team at Andretti. Kyle got the win, myself in third, Marcus in fourth. I'm super excited, Honda was awesome. This race was just amazing too, all around the monuments. I wish we could do it again."
Marcus Ericsson (#28 Andretti Global Honda) finished fourth: "That was a really fun drive from 21st to fourth, that was a good day! We had really good strategy and pit stops. Our #28 Acura had really good fuel economy—which really helped me make the strategy work. And then we had the power there in the end to muscle my way through the field. I'm really proud of my performance, but also of a Honda and Andretti win here on this amazing stage in front of the capitol and the amazing monuments. It's been an amazing weekend with Acura as well."
David Salters (President, HRC US): "What a truly amazing occasion and race event, it certainly made you very proud to be an American today. A massive congrats to Roger, Bud, Doug, all of IndyCar and also Fox and Eric Shanks for such a superb world class event. Bravo to Kyle, Will and Marcus and the Andretti Global team, a truly dominant performance. And, of course, a salute to our marvelous team at HRC US. They have put in so much effort this year and the team is being rewarded for their hard work. History was made today for Honda Racing in this epic inaugural event with a pole position and the win, two podium finishers, and four Honda cars in the top five. Bravo, Team HRC US! Let's keep pushing to the end of the season!"
Next
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES will run a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile for its penultimate race weekend of 2026 on August 28-30.
HRC US social media content and video links can be found on:
