It’s a big week for IndyCar and the United States. As the year-long birthday celebration of 250 years continues for America, IndyCar will do its part to celebrate this weekend. A 1.7-mile circuit, through the streets of Washington, D.C. It runs down Pennsylvania Avenue, past the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian. This race took an executive order from President Donald Trump himself to even be possible. Let’s take a look at the IndyCar picks, odds, and best bets for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.
Motorsports is a huge part of American culture, and there needed to be a motorsports centerpiece for America’s 250th birthday. Penske/IndyCar had the ability to execute it, the federal government cleared the extraordinary logistical hurdles, and Monumental came aboard to help turn it into a major sporting event. Now here we are, with what is likely to be a one-off event. The 250 miles of this race on a brand new circuit presents a unique challenge. Most IndyCar street races are under 200 miles. The extra miles and discipline create interesting betting angles, and I believe it opens up some longshot bet potential.
Odds to Win Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.
Alex Palou +150
Kyle Kirkwood +360
Christian Lundgaard +850
Marcus Ericsson +900
David Malukas +1500
Pato O’Ward +1500
Scott McLaughlin +1600
Will Power +1600
Felix Rosenqvist +1800
Scott Dixon +2200
Louis Foster +3000
Josef Newgarden +3250
Marcus Armstrong +4000
Romain Grosjean +4000
Rinus VeeKay +4000
Graham Rahal +6000
Alexander Rossi +6000
Christian Rasmussen +8000
Caio Collet +9000
Santino Ferrucci +12000
Mick Schumacher +12000
Dennis Hauger +15000
Nolan Siegel +15000
Kyffin Simpson +20000
Sting Ray Robb +50000
IndyCar Picks, Odds, and Best Bets: Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.
Pato O’Ward Top Finishing Chevrolet (+475)
This is a great market being offered over at Caesars Sportsbook for this weekend’s race. On the Chevrolet side in particular. It’s been a tough season for Chevy, especially with the Team Penske shortcomings. Josef Newgarden hasn’t been a factor outside of ovals; it’s been a tough year for Scott McLaughlin, and while David Malukas was having a stellar season, he’s really cooled off. Pato O’Ward has been the belle of the Chevy ball on street circuits thus far in 2026.
Last week at Markham, O’Ward finished in fifth place, good enough to be the top-finishing Chevrolet. At Detroit, Pato scored a fourth-place finish, once again making him the top Chevy. At Long Beach, another fifth-place run was good enough to be the best of his manufacturer. Arlington, the first brand-new street circuit of the year, a fifth-place finish, well, you guessed it, was good enough to be the top Chevy. St. Pete was the only street course where O’Ward wasn’t the best Chevrolet on the day. These are great odds for what he’s accomplished this year. His top five at -125 on The Score isn’t a bad bet either.
Will Power Over David Malukas (-115)
A few weeks ago, there was no way I’d have looked at Will Power to beat the man who replaced him in the Penske #12, David Malukas. However, the tide has turned as of late, and Power is running much better in his new home at Andretti, and the Penske struggles are catching up with David Malukas. Last week at Markham, Power scored a third-place finish while Malukas was mired in 17th. At Arlington earlier this year, Power was third again, while Malukas was sixth. So two for two in favor of the veteran at the new street course in 2026. What have you done for me lately? That also chalks up more wins for Power. Before the Markham race, Power finished third at Portland to Malukas’ 12th. The week before, it was sixth at Mid Ohio for Power, and eighth for Malukas. All signs point to Will Power in this matchup on The Score.
Winning Car Number Under 10.5 (-125)
It’s hard to argue with just betting Alex Palou at +150, but we saw last week why that isn’t always a guarantee. With the extra mileage this weekend, and some strategy that could come into play. This bet over on Caesars Sportsbook gives us some flexibility. Also, if you are a more casual viewer or bettor, this is a great way to keep yourself in the action until the end. It gives you the obvious play, the man who’s dominated the series for years, Alex Palou. But it also gives you Christian Lundgaard, who has multiple wins this year and has shown the ability to win street races. Pato O’Ward, who we just covered his ability to hang around near the front at the end of all these races.
Scott Dixon, one of the best to ever do it. It’s been a tough year for Scott, but with this extra distance, the discipline needed, and a possible strategy game that could be played. Few are better than Dixon at those games, and this is a great way to cover yourself. Caio Collet is an unlikely candidate, but the youngster did sit on the pole at Markham last week. You also have the Penske cars of Newgarden and McLaughlin. While it’s been a tough year, they are always capable. You think this race doesn’t mean a lot to The Captain, Roger Penske? It absolutely does. Maybe the guy nicknamed “Captain America” can deliver in the 250? Make sure to check out this episode of the NASCAR Gambling Podcast for all of this and every week’s IndyCar picks!
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