FOX Unveils Star-Studded Booth for Historic DC Grand Prix
FOX Sports Announces Star-Studded Broadcast Team for Historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.
What’s the Big Deal?
Imagine racing cars zooming past the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and the Lincoln Memorial. That’s exactly what’s happening on Sunday, August 23rd! The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is making history with the first-ever automobile race on the National Mall – the iconic park in the heart of Washington, D.C.
This special event, called the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, celebrates America’s 250th birthday in the most patriotic place possible: the nation’s capital. FOX Sports is pulling out all the stops to bring this landmark race to your living room.
Mark Your Calendar: The main race airs live at 1:00 PM ET on FOX and FOX One (their streaming service).
Meet the All-Star Broadcast Team
FOX Sports has assembled a dream team of racing experts to call the action. Here’s who you’ll hear and see:
The Voices in the Booth (Main Race Broadcast)
| Role | Name | Why They’re Awesome |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-Play Announcer | Will Buxton | The lead voice describing every pass, crash, and victory lap |
| Analyst (Expert Commentary) | Townsend Bell | Former INDYCAR driver who knows exactly what the racers are feeling |
| Analyst (Expert Commentary) | James Hinchcliffe | Another former INDYCAR star with 6 career wins – he’s been in the driver’s seat! |
The Pit Lane Reporters
These reporters are stationed right where the action happens – the pits where cars stop for fuel and tires:
- Jack Harvey – Current INDYCAR driver turned reporter
- Georgia Henneberry – Experienced motorsports journalist
- Kevin Lee – Veteran pit reporter
- Jamie Little – Award-winning reporter providing special features
Special Storyteller
- Tom Rinaldi – FOX Sports’ master storyteller with 17 Sports Emmy Awards and 7 Edward R. Murrow Awards. He’ll bring you emotional features and interviews from around D.C.
Expanded Prerace Show: 90 Minutes of Patriotic Pageantry
Starting at 11:30 AM ET (that’s 90 minutes before the green flag!), FOX airs a special prerace show hosted by Emmy winner Chris Myers. Joining him are two racing legends:
Helio Castroneves
- 4-time Indianapolis 500 Champion
- One of only four drivers in history to win "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" four times
- Known for his famous "Spider-Man" victory fence climb celebration
Danica Patrick
- Most successful woman in open-wheel racing history
- Highest-finishing female in Indianapolis 500 history (3rd place in 2009)
- First woman to win an INDYCAR Series race (2008 Indy Japan 300)
Special Tribute: The prerace show will honor all four branches of the U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
Bonus Racing Action: IROC Presented by Chevrolet
The excitement starts a day early on Saturday, August 22nd!
What is IROC?
IROC stands for International Race of Champions. It’s a special series where top drivers from different racing backgrounds (NASCAR, INDYCAR, sports cars) all compete in identical Chevrolet Camaros. No car advantages – pure driver skill!
Saturday Broadcast Team (3:00 PM ET on FOX One)
- Townsend Bell & James Hinchcliffe (returning from main booth)
- Clint Bowyer – FOX NASCAR analyst and former Cup Series winner
- Jeff Gordon – NASCAR Hall of Famer, 4-time Cup Champion, and former FOX broadcaster… providing commentary FROM INSIDE THE RACE CAR!
Can’t watch Saturday? FS1 re-airs the IROC races on Sunday at 10:00 AM ET – right before the prerace show!
Complete Weekend Schedule
Saturday, August 22nd
| Time (ET) | Event | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | INDYCAR Practice | FS1 |
| 10:40 AM | IROC Practice 1 | FOX One |
| 12:25 PM | IROC Practice 2 | FOX One |
| 1:00 PM | INDYCAR Practice | FS2 |
| 3:00 PM | IROC RACE (LIVE) | FOX One |
| 5:00 PM | INDYCAR Qualifying | FS2 |
Sunday, August 23rd – RACE DAY!
| Time (ET) | Event | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | INDYCAR Warmup | FS1 |
| 10:00 AM | IROC Race Re-air | FS1 |
| 11:30 AM | EXPANDED PRERACE SHOW | FOX & FOX One |
| 1:00 PM | FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX (LIVE) | FOX & FOX One |
Pro Tip: Every session streams live on FOX One – perfect if you’re away from your TV!
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
- HISTORIC FIRST – First auto race ever on the National Mall
- AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY – Patriotism meets 200+ mph racing
- STACKED BROADCAST TEAM – Champions, Hall of Famers, and award-winning journalists
- TWO DAYS OF RACING – IROC on Saturday, INDYCAR on Sunday
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO WATCH – FOX (broadcast TV), FOX One (streaming), FS1/FS2 (cable)
- MILITARY TRIBUTE – Honoring all service branches during prerace
Summary
FOX Sports is going all-in for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix – a historic INDYCAR race on the streets of Washington, D.C. celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
The main event airs Sunday, August 23rd at 1:00 PM ET on FOX and FOX One, called by Will Buxton with expert analysis from former drivers Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe.
But the party starts earlier: A 90-minute prerace show at 11:30 AM ET features 4-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves and trailblazer Danica Patrick alongside host Chris Myers. Plus, Tom Rinaldi brings his Emmy-winning storytelling from the nation’s capital.
Don’t miss Saturday’s bonus action: The IROC Presented by Chevrolet races at 3:00 PM ET on FOX One, with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon providing commentary from inside a race car!
Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan or just love a good patriotic spectacle, this weekend has something for everyone.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What is the NTT INDYCAR SERIES?
A: It’s America’s premier open-wheel racing series. Think formula-style cars (single seat, open cockpit, exposed wheels) racing on road courses, street circuits, and ovals. The Indianapolis 500 is its most famous race.
Q: What is the National Mall, and why is racing there a big deal?
A: The National Mall is the iconic park in downtown D.C. stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the middle. It’s where Americans gather for inaugurations, protests, and celebrations. No cars have ever raced there before – this is truly historic!
Q: Do I need cable to watch?
A: Nope! The main race and prerace show air on FOX (free broadcast TV) and FOX One (streaming). Some practice/qualifying sessions are on FS1/FS2 (cable), but the big events are widely accessible.
Q: Who is Jeff Gordon, and why is he commentating from inside a car?
A: Jeff Gordon is a NASCAR legend – 4-time champion, 93 career wins, and Hall of Famer. For the IROC race, he’s actually driving one of the identical Camaros while talking to the broadcast booth. It’s a rare "driver’s-eye view" with a superstar!
Q: What makes this race different from other INDYCAR events?
A: Three things: 1) Historic venue – racing past national monuments, 2) Patriotic significance – tied to America’s 250th birthday with military honors, 3) Unique street circuit – temporary track on real D.C. streets, not a permanent racetrack.