Graham Rahal criticizes congressman who mistook Washington IndyCar race for F1

The IndyCar veteran called out two government officials for posting misleading information about the Freedom 250 race to criticize President Donald Trump.

Trump was in attendance at the IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., which was won by Kyle Kirkwood, on Sunday, Aug. 23. As part of the opening festivities, he did a lap around the track in his presidential limousine and then waved the green flag to start the race. He watched part of the competition with Arrow McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

One of the recipients of Rahal’s words was U.S. representative Mark Pocan, who misidentified IndyCar as Formula 1 in his critique of the Freedom 250. Pocan represents Wisconsin’s second congressional district based in Madison, and the state of Wisconsin hosts two IndyCar events this year: one in June at Road America in Elkhart Lake and one in Milwaukee, which will have two oval races this weekend.

“Would be nice if you got our series right,” Rahal said in a post on X on Monday, Aug. 24, “given the economic impact we have in your state, which allows for jobs, income for businesses and hospitality, and more in the state of Wisconsin, a group of citizens which you represent and thrive off of @IndyCar presence.”

Rahal, who finished 13th in the Freedom 250, pointed out that the Milwaukee Mile, formally known as the Snap-On Makers and Fixers 250, is this weekend.

<1 / 8

<2 / 8

<3 / 8

<4 / 8

<5 / 8

<6 / 8

<7 / 8

<8 / 8

In his original post, published on X earlier on Monday, Pocan blasted Trump for attending the one-off race and not tending to more important matters like the conflict with Iran and nationwide inflation.

“Trump spent his weekend watching a Formula 1 race in DC and fighting with Canada instead of ending his war with Iran and lowering costs for the American people,” he wrote.

The post was deleted after Rahal, who hails from Ohio, and several other X users pointed out the representative’s error in saying the Freedom 250 was an F1 race as opposed to an IndyCar one.

IndyCar returns to Wisconsin this weekend for a doubleheader at Milwaukee Mile. The oval track is just over a mile in length and will host one race on Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. local) and another one on Sunday (1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. local). The circuit opened in 1903 and is known for thrilling racing.

Kirkwood’s win at the Freedom 250 significantly cut into championship leader Alex Palou’s point differential, which makes these races even more meaningful.

Christian Rasmussen won last year’s competition when it was a single race.

IndyCar was also in Wisconsin earlier this summer for the XPel Grand Prix at Road America in Elkhart Lake, which is between Milwaukee and Green Bay. Christian Lundgaard won the race in June on the permanent road course after coming back from last place due to an early collision. It was his second victory of the 2026 season.

No, Formula 1 has not raced in Washington, DC.

There are currently three United States races on the F1 calendar: Miami, Austin, Texas and Las Vegas. Previous American cities to host an F1 race include Indianapolis, Detroit, Phoenix, Long Beach and Watkins Glen.

<1 / 21

<2 / 21

<3 / 21

<4 / 21

<5 / 21

<6 / 21

<7 / 21

<8 / 21

May 24 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Canadian Grand Prix

<9 / 21

May 3 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Miami Grand Prix

<10 / 21

<11 / 21

<12 / 21

<13 / 21

<14 / 21

<15 / 21

<16 / 21

<17 / 21

<18 / 21

<19 / 21

<20 / 21

<21 / 21

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.