The Freedom 250 in the nation’s capital on July 23 was scheduled for 125 or 212 miles, which makes it the longest street race of the season, and the longest street race St. Pete in 2019.

IndyCar announced this week that the race distance has increased to 147 laps and 250 miles, making it the longest true street race in IndyCar history. Cleveland’ Burke Lakefront airport circuit had races of 300 miles in 1982 and 1983, but I would not consider that venue a true street race

In your humble blogger’s opinion, the half of an Indianapolis 500 distance is too long for a race on this type of circuit.

From 2013-2019 St, Pete races were 110 laps., 198 miles. The fastest time for those races was two hours and four minutes in 2019. I attended every one of those races, and I thought each one was exceedingly long.

In 2025, IndyCar street race distances averaged 171 miles. St. Pete was the longest race at 180 miles, and Toronto was the shortest at 160.74 miles. Detroit took the most time to complete at two hours.

To date in 2026, Arlington was the longest street race at 191.1 miles, and the checkered flag fell after one hour, 55 minutes.

At the original Washington 212 miles, we were already looking at a two hour plus event. Now, the race should take at least two and a half hours to complete. I have no problem with an oval race at that length. At least there will be passing and some excitement. But, we are talking about a street race, and a new circuit at that\.

I don’t understand the change in distance, and the rationale that it is keeping with the 250 years theme falls flat. After all, 250 is just a number. Making the race 250 kilometers is a better idea.

IndyCar cut 75 laps from the Nashville race, citing excessive heat. Now they are adding 25 laps to Washington during a time of year when the DC area is very hot. I find this inconsistency puzzling.

I understand that situations occasionally require modifying schedules and race distances, but those decisions should be made as circumstances arise. The deecision to extend this race makes little sense.