IndyCar Gradebook: Freedom 250
- Dan Jones
- 1 hour ago
- 10 min read
IndyCar celebrated America's 250th birthday in quite some fashion, as they hit the Streets of Washington D.C., which resulted in the biggest road/street course race viewership-wise since re-unification. With that considered, it was somewhat fitting that an American came out on top as Kyle Kirkwood romped home for his second victory of 2026. DIVEBOMB IndyCar Correspondent Dan Jones graded how all 25 drivers fared in the capital.
Chip Ganassi Racing
No.8 - Kyffin Simpson - B+
A fifth-place finish no longer being an unexpected result for Kyffin Simpson speaks volumes about the progress the Cayman Islander has made since his rookie season, with Simpson earning the fifth-such finish of his career. Due a spin in qualifying that prevented him from advancing and therefore meant he started in 23rd, the No.8 stand went aggressive on strategy, which Simpson executed to the same degree as his mightily successful teammates have done in the past. Once he cycled into the top five, he remained there all race and was easily the most competitive Chip Ganassi Racing car for the majority of the race.
No.9 - Scott Dixon - B
Although a seventh-place finish will not stand alongside Scott Dixon's endless career accolades, it does finally end a eight-race long streak without a top 10 finish. It had been a more competitive weekend for Dixon throughout in comparison to recent races, with his teammates' spin being the reason as to why he didn't advance before comfortably competing in the top 10 throughout the race's running, despite cautions not falling his way. The winning streak remains at peril but finally a steady weekend for Dixon to build on.
No.10 - Álex Palou - C
Álex Palou will be glad that his significant championship lead means that he can simply laugh off his disastrous race on the Washington streets. Before his nightmare 147 laps though, Palou starred once again in qualifying, easily taking his seventh pole of the year in true Palou fashion. However, it was all downhill from there. Palou lost the lead at the start and then picked up a drive-through for a pitlane incident. A pitstop error he was blameless for, but he was accountable for his late race crash which saw him slump to 20th. Another superb Saturday but a struggle-bus Sunday in a race that Palou will want to forget, but many others may remember as the one that Palou showed his human side.
Team Penske
No.2 - Josef Newgarden - B-
The lower end of the top 10 and the 'B' range of grades in IndyCar Gradebook has effectively been Josef Newgarden's form on road/street courses for all of 2026. Once again, Newgarden narrowly missed out in transferring in qualifying but steadily made progress into inside the top 10 throughout the race. He could not replicate the pace of his teammates throughout, possibly due to the continual issues with his braking foot but he nevertheless brought home another top 10 finish. Although not remarkable, it is still certainly an improvement on 12 months ago.
No.3 - Scott McLaughlin - A-
As a two-year winless streak draws ever nearer, you could not blame Scott McLaughlin for trying to make the winning move to win the Freedom 250. It has been a quiet year for McLaughlin, but the New Zealander proved quick throughout the Washington weekend, qualifying third and being Kirkwood's closest challenger (albeit he was still significantly off the pace of the American). When an opportunity arose, McLaughlin had to make the move to have any shot of victory but overcooked it as he piled into the barrier. A disappointing ending but still plenty of encouragement to take from McLaughlin after another improved weekend pace-wise.
No.12 - David Malukas - D+
The frustration of a second incident in as many weeks was clearly on the mind of David Malukas, but rough patches were always inevitable in his first season with Team Penske and it says a lot that this is the first of those. Malukas showed well in qualifying as he lined up sixth, albeit after having to abort his Fast Six run after an error. The start of the race was relatively comfortable for Malukas until his Lap 35 error cost him dear. Although frustration may be inevitable for Malukas, two good shots at a maiden victory present themselves this weekend.
Andretti Global
No.26 - Will Power - A-
Like it was in Markham, it proved a weekend of two halves for Will Power. Although the implications were much less than they were on the Canadian streets yet another qualifying error cost Power dear as he missed out what would have been an inevitable transfer in qualifying. But like he has done in so many other races this year, Power made methodical progress to the point he surprised his opposition with the rate at which he climbed up the order. Although traffic was slightly partially to blame, he did have the car beneath him to catch Lundgaard for second, but Power was still pleased with an impressive fifth third-place finish of 2026.
No.27 - Kyle Kirkwood - A+
Kirkwood may not like being referred to as 'King of the Streets', but there is a reason the name keeps on cycling back to him and he proved exactly why with a dominant Washington display. Although a potential pole position eluded him, Kirkwood was unintentionally brave on the opening lap to take the lead and he never looked back. Kirkwood was superb in navigating his way through traffic and built up a substantial gap at every opportunity he had. He never once looked like he would be pegged back and he managed the race superbly for a second win of 2026. Such performances need to be replicated on other track types for Kirkwood's title to be shrugged off, but showings like that on a more regular basis could give Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing a headache.
No.28 - Marcus Ericsson - A-
Marcus Ericsson's Washington weekend was very much akin to that of Power's with a strong result earned despite a frustrating qualifying error. After qualifying 15th (after hitting the wall subtly, like Power), the No.28 stand opted to take an engine penalty meaning Ericsson had plenty of work to do from 20th. Despite that, Ericsson was a man on a mission, being one of very few cars who could decisively make overtakes when he needed to and methodically made his way through the order. That culminated just behind his teammate in fourth in yet another impressive weekend for Ericsson.
Arrow McLaren
No.5 - Pato O'Ward - C
It feels as if things simply have not clicked for Pato O'Ward in 2026 and Washington was yet another frustrating weekend for him and Arrow McLaren. That said, O'Ward was the top McLaren in qualifying as he lined up seventh, but he lost significant places at the start which he never quite recovered. From that point forward, the No.5 stand were trying to find something different on strategy, which never panned out, especially after O'Ward went off the road at Turn 6. O'Ward never rebounded and ended up a disappointing 16th, one lap down from the lead.
No.6 - Nolan Siegel - B+
It is maybe not an outrageous statement to say that the Freedom 250 marked the best race of Nolan Siegel's IndyCar career. Like his teammates, Siegel transferred into the Fast 12 but was pegged back to starting 17th after an engine penalty. Despite that, as well as being on the conventional strategy, Siegel marched his way forward throughout the race as he quietly crossed the line in a career-best sixth-place. It continues a strong uptick in form as he looks for a new home in 2027.
No.7 - Christian Lundgaard - A-
A lower-end of the top 10 starting slot converted into a podium feels a very familiar tale for Christian Lundgaard as the Dane earned his sixth podium of 2026. Lundgaard qualified in ninth but took advantage when others around him continually faltered. Although Lundgaard possibly did not have the raw pace of others competing for a podium, he held his position well and was mistake-free on his way to second. It continues the trend of performances that make him a very attractive option for any team heading into 2027.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
No.15 - Graham Rahal - C-
Street course form has been particularly inconsistent for Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing throughout 2026 and Washington was one of those more difficult weekends. Rahal crashed in practice and could only manage 23rd in qualifying. Given their low starting spot, Rahal moved onto on alternate strategy which provided little yield as he came home with a 13th-place finish, albeit still on the lead lap.
No.45 - Louis Foster - C-
After his heavy crash at Markham last week, Louis Foster was clearly nursing his injuries all weekend long, as he endured a quiet weekend trying not to aggravate his injuries further. Foster qualified just 18th and made little progress from there on a conventional strategy, clearly not having the pace of the front runners. He finished in 16th as the chequered flag fell.
No.47 - Mick Schumacher - B-
An 11th-place finish at Washington comfortably marked Schumacher's best effort on a road/street course this season as he kept his outside hopes of Rookie of the Year alive. Schumacher qualified 20th but was relegated to 24th after an engine penalty. Despite that, Schumacher was unafraid to get his elbows out as he made moves to progress up the order, staying on the lead lap throughout. It culminated in his best finish of the season and continues a small improvement in form over recent races.
Meyer Shank Racing
No.60 - Felix Rosenqvist - C+
Results have been very hit-and-miss for Felix Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing in 2026 and although the result was certainly a miss, it was a better performance on paper for Rosenqvist. Rosenqvist started in 10th and made steady progress throughout the order, climbing all the way up to sixth. However, a clumsy spin on the restart with 19 laps to go left Rosenqvist with damage which saw him slump to 19th in what otherwise could have been a very good day.
No.66 - Marcus Armstrong - C
I said in my Markham Gradebook that it has been a rough stretch for Marcus Armstrong and although things looked encouraging early on in Markham, it all went to nought as that stretch continued. Armstrong qualified well in fifth and stayed in a similar position for the opening stint. However, he was clumsy in causing the Lap 44 finish and probably should have known better. That earned him a deserved stop-go, which put him a lap down and well out of contention. Yet another weekend to put behind the New Zealander.
Ed Carpenter Racing
No.20 - Alexander Rossi - C+
The Washington weekend started off on the right foot for Alexander Rossi, who had looked quick in practice hence making it particularly disappointing when he did not transfer in qualifying. Rossi started 15th and ran a relatively quiet race, unable to make meaningful progress as he rounded out the 147 laps in 12th and on the lead lap. Not a bad day, but there hasn't been many good days for Rossi so far this year.
No.21 - Christian Rasmussen - A-
It is rather frustrating that Christian Rasmussen was the victim of Armstrong's clumsy move as what had been a very encouraging road/street weekend gave no meaningful result for Rasmussen. The Dane qualified a superb fourth - the best of his IndyCar career - and was not afraid to try and make more moves at the start. However, there was nothing he could do when he was hit by Armstrong which put him a lap down. A shame that a good road/street weekend was not complete but promising signs - even with a small sample size.
AJ Foyt Racing
No.4 - Caio Collet - B+
A maiden top 10 has long been coming for Caio Collet, but he finally ticked that box for the first time in his career with a ninth-place finish in Washington. It was a good weekend throughout for Collet though, who once again transferred into the Fast 12 with an 11th place qualifying effort. The race remained trouble-free for Collet who showed relatively good pace throughout and kept it clean for his best result of the season, finally showing on the promise displayed earlier this year.
No.14 - Santino Ferrucci - D+
Washington proved a nightmare weekend for Santino Ferrucci, who continues his relatively underwhelming 2026 season. Whilst his teammate impressed in qualifying, Ferrucci could only manage 22nd and started last after an engine penalty. He only got 18 laps of meaningful running though before a gearbox issue put him out of contention.
Juncos Hollinger Racing
No.76 - Rinus VeeKay - C+
After such a good run of races, Washington proved a slight disappointment for Rinus VeeKay and Juncos Hollinger Racing. VeeKay hit the wall in his group session which prevented him from advancing. VeeKay had made good progress though to just outside the top 10 but that all came to nothing after he was another victim of Armstrong's clumsiness with his car unable to be repaired. A top 10 potentially on the table but a case of 'what could have been?'.
No.77 - Sting Ray Robb - D
Although he was helpless in his elimination from the race, it had been a difficult Freedom 250 weekend for Sting Ray Robb until that point. The American was the slowest in qualifying by some distance (ignoring Simpson's loss of his two quickest times) in a weekend where he struggled for pace throughout. He was running toward the tail end of the field when his race ended after being unsighted to Malukas' accident.
Dale Coyne Racing
No.18 - Romain Grosjean - B
Although it was not quite the grandeur on display as was the case in Markham, it proved another successful street course event for Romain Grosjean who left the capital with a top 10 finish. Grosjean qualified lowly in 23rd but aggressively went onto an alternate strategy early on which proved successful in his bid to climb places. Grosjean quietly went his business to secure himself 10th at the flag.
No.19 - Dennis Hauger - C+
Although results aren't showing for it, things have started to pick up for Dennis Hauger in recent races, with the Norwegian making the Fast 12 for the third consecutive race in an impressive eighth-place. However, Hauger struggled for pace during the race and was unable to make progress, finishing 15th at the flag and a lap down. Qualifying pace has certainly picked up, Hauger just needs to start showing more on Sundays if he will solidify his IndyCar future.
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