"It's a Massive Opportunity for INDYCAR." - Graham Rahal Expresses Support for Proposed Street Race in Washington DC

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER

NTT INDYCAR Series driver Graham Rahal (Photo Credit: Tim Allen, Rides&Drives, 2021)

Throughout Tuesday's proceedings at the NTT INDYCAR Series' annual "Content Days" in Indianapolis, there was little discussion about a bombshell report involving a race in the nation's capital that was sweeping the racing world in recent days. Some drivers, like two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden, explained that they didn't have much information about the event, while others, like Arrow-McLaren's Pato O'Ward, avoided commenting on the matter altogether.

However, Tuesday afternoon produced one glaring exception to this trend - none other than Graham Rahal.

The series veteran, entering his 20th full-time season in American open-wheel racing dating back to his days in Champ Car, didn't mince words at the podium, not only sharing that he was a proponent of the event, but calling out those who aren't.

"It's a massive opportunity for INDYCAR," Rahal told reporter Tony Donohue. "It's a bit shameful sometimes when I read comments on social media in response to some of you guys' posts... 'oh then that's the one race I'm not going to watch a year'... get a life."

Last week, as first reported by Punchbowl News, it was revealed that Sean Duffy, Secretary of the Department of Transportation in the Trump administration, is pushing for an INDYCAR street race in the capital city later this summer to coincide with the celebration of America's 250th birthday.

These rumors were perpetuated after President Trump posted an AI-generated video promoting the event on his Truth Social profile just days ago.

"This is a huge opportunity that's been given to us," Rahal added. "It hasn't been given to NASCAR. It wasn't given to Formula One. It was given to INDYCAR."

Even during a period of significant division in the United States due to mixed reactions to the policies and practices of the Trump administration, Rahal remains a staunch supporter of the possible event.

"Now obviously I'm a patriotic guy," Rahal said. "For me, no matter who's in the White House, I don't care who it is, I mean if we got to go race in Washington it would be awesome. Particularly in the National Mall. One of my favorite things to do is to go to the National Mall and walk around at night and see what it's all about and understand history, good or bad."

The proposed event is rumored to take place on August 21st, currently a scheduled off-week on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series calendar. INDYCAR leadership is yet to publicly confirm any tangible planning of the race, which would be the third new event on the year, along with street races in Arlington, Texas and Markham, Ontario. For Rahal, this would align with the sport's big picture trajectory.

"For INDYCAR racing, we've all been talking for all these years about getting opportunities to do street races and go to new venues. Well it's all laid out there on a grand stage."