Honda-powered teams head to Washington, D.C., for the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix with Alex Palou leading the title fight and Honda seeking another street-course win.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington will bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the streets of Washington, D.C., for the first time on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

The race will begin at 1 p.m. ET, with pre-race coverage starting at 11:30 a.m. ET and live coverage on Fox.

The inaugural event will take drivers around the nation’s capital and past some of its most recognizable museums and monuments. The race also celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Honda enters another major street-course test

Honda arrives in Washington with a strong record on street circuits during the 2026 season.

Honda-powered drivers have won all five street-course races held so far this year. Four of those victories were part of all-Honda podium sweeps.

Honda-powered teams have won every street-course race of the 2026 IndyCar season ahead of the Washington debut.

Alex Palou opened the season with a victory at St. Petersburg before leading all-Honda podiums at Long Beach and Detroit.

Kyle Kirkwood then won the inaugural race in Arlington, while Marcus Ericsson followed with victory at Markham last weekend.

The results have helped Honda build a 169-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship.

Palou leads a major championship fight

The Washington race could also have a major impact on the 2026 drivers’ championship.

Alex Palou currently leads the standings by 133 points, giving the Chip Ganassi Racing driver a significant advantage heading into the second half of the season.

Alex Palou holds a 133-point championship lead heading into the inaugural Washington street race.

Palou has collected victories at St. Petersburg, Barber, Long Beach, Detroit, Nashville, and Portland during the 2026 campaign.

Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood is currently second and represents one of the biggest threats to Palou’s championship advantage.

The Washington street circuit gives Palou’s rivals another opportunity to reduce the gap. A strong result for the championship leader, however, could bring him significantly closer to a fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES title.

Acura joins the Washington celebration

The inaugural race will also feature an important Acura celebration.

Marcus Ericsson’s No. 28 Andretti Global Honda will carry an Acura-themed livery during the Washington race.

Marcus Ericsson’s No. 28 will feature an Acura livery celebrating both America’s 250th anniversary and 40 years of Acura.

The special design celebrates 250 years of the United States while also marking 40 years of Acura, which entered the American market in 1986 as the first Japanese luxury car brand.

The partnership gives Acura another opportunity to connect with motorsport fans through the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Honda lineup for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix

Honda will field a strong group of drivers across its participating teams in Washington.

Andretti Global

• No. 26 Will Power — Series Champion, Indianapolis 500 winner, Race Winner
• No. 27 Kyle Kirkwood — Race Winner
• No. 28 Marcus Ericsson — Indianapolis 500 winner, Race Winner

Chip Ganassi Racing

• No. 8 Kyffin Simpson
• No. 9 Scott Dixon — Series Champion, Indianapolis 500 winner, Race Winner
• No. 10 Alex Palou — Series Champion, Indianapolis 500 winner, Race Winner

Dale Coyne Racing

• No. 18 Romain Grosjean
• No. 19 Dennis Hauger — Series Rookie

Meyer Shank Racing

• No. 60 Felix Rosenqvist — Indianapolis 500 winner, Race Winner
• No. 66 Marcus Armstrong

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

• No. 15 Graham Rahal — Race Winner
• No. 45 Louis Foster
• No. 47 Mick Schumacher — Series Rookie

With Honda already dominant on street circuits and Palou holding a commanding championship lead, the Honda IndyCar Washington GP will provide another important test for both the manufacturer and its leading drivers.

Lucid has introduced the new Gravity GT-S, a 1,070-horsepower three-row electric SUV that combines supercar performance with seating for up to seven adults.

Lucid is expanding its electric SUV range with the Gravity GT-S, a new performance-focused version of the Gravity. The model brings technology and ideas from the Lucid Air Sapphire into a larger, more versatile package.

With 1,070 horsepower, the Gravity GT-S becomes one of the most powerful three-row SUVs in the United States. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds while still offering seating for up to seven adults.

The model made its global debut during Monterey Car Week, where Lucid displayed it alongside the Air Sapphire at Pebble Beach.

A Three-Row SUV With Supercar Performance

The new Gravity GT-S is designed to combine extreme performance with the practicality expected from a family SUV.

Its 1,070-horsepower output comes with standard performance hardware designed to keep that power under control. The SUV receives Lucid’s Dynamic Handling Package, which includes independent rear-wheel steering and an adaptive three-chamber air suspension.

The Lucid Gravity GT-S combines three-row practicality with 1,070 horsepower and performance-focused chassis technology.

The air suspension can lower the vehicle at higher speeds, helping improve stability and aerodynamic performance.

The rear-wheel-steering system also makes the large SUV more agile. By turning the rear wheels, the system can improve response during cornering while making the vehicle easier to maneuver at lower speeds.

Lucid says the GT-S was developed to provide a more expressive driving experience without sacrificing the space and comfort that define the Gravity.

A More Aggressive Gravity Design

The Lucid Gravity GT-S also receives several visual changes that separate it from the standard Gravity.

The exterior features blue accents and painted blue brake calipers, creating a more distinctive appearance for the performance model.

Blue exterior accents and painted blue brake calipers distinguish the Gravity GT-S from other versions of the electric SUV.

Inside, Lucid continues the performance theme with a Mojave PurLuxe Premium interior.

Blue stitching and piping are used across the first and second rows. The SUV also receives blue seatbelts, blue stitching on the steering wheel and center armrest, and a blue steering wheel marker.

The front seat headrests feature an embossed Lucid Bear logo, adding another exclusive detail to the cabin.

Performance Without Losing Practicality

Unlike many high-performance EVs, the Gravity GT-S does not sacrifice its family-oriented layout.

The SUV can accommodate up to seven adults and provides generous cargo capacity. That makes its 1,070-horsepower output even more unusual because the vehicle remains suited to everyday transportation.

he Gravity GT-S retains the Gravity’s spacious interior while adding performance-focused details throughout the cabin.

The model also benefits from Lucid’s broader electric vehicle technology platform.

The current Gravity range offers up to 450 miles of EPA-estimated range, depending on configuration. Lucid lists the GT-S with a projected range of 373 miles, while charging capability can add up to 200 miles in approximately 14 minutes under the appropriate conditions.

For the GT-S specifically, Lucid’s configurator currently lists the model as a 2027 vehicle with a starting price of $125,900. The company lists the GT-S as available in Q4 2026.

Pricing and Availability

The Lucid Gravity GT-S starts at $125,900 in the United States, before taxes, title, registration, options, destination, and documentation fees. Lucid’s current configurator lists it for the 2027 model year and indicates availability in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The GT-S is positioned above the regular Gravity Touring and Grand Touring models. Lucid currently lists those versions from $79,900 and $98,900 respectively, giving the GT-S a significant premium for its additional performance hardware and 1,070-horsepower powertrain.

Lucid’s Monterey Car Week program ran from August 13 through August 16, 2026, providing the setting for the Gravity GT-S global debut.

The Lucid Gravity GT-S represents a different approach to the high-performance SUV. Instead of choosing between extreme acceleration and everyday practicality, Lucid is trying to combine both. With 1,070 horsepower, three-row seating, advanced suspension technology, and a projected 373-mile range, the GT-S pushes the Gravity into a much more performance-focused category.

Jeep has unveiled the 2027 Wrangler Smoky Mountain Special Edition, adding exclusive styling, Trail Rated capability, 33-inch tires, and unique details inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains.

Jeep has introduced the 2027 Wrangler Smoky Mountain Special Edition, a new four-door model created to celebrate the brand’s off-road community. The special edition debuted at the 14th annual Smoky Mountain Invasion in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The event attracts nearly 50,000 people and 20,000 Jeep vehicles, making it one of the largest Jeep enthusiast gatherings in the United States.

The new Wrangler is the 10th installment in Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve series and is based on the Wrangler Willys platform.

The 2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain features exclusive graphics, dark wheels, and a body-color hardtop.

The exterior package includes Smoky Mountain hood-side decals, 17-inch smoky black wheels, and a gloss-black seven-slot grille.

The Wrangler also receives a body-color hardtop and fender flares, while a Sky One-Touch power top remains available.

For off-road driving, the special edition comes with 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires as standard. Buyers can also choose available 35-inch KO2 tires.

Trail Rated hardware comes standard

The Smoky Mountain package is more than an appearance upgrade. Jeep has included several mechanical features designed for demanding terrain.

The Wrangler comes with steel rock rails, Dana 44 front and rear axles, a locking rear differential, a 4.10 axle ratio, and a trailer hitch.

The Smoky Mountain edition combines Willys hardware with Trail Rated components designed for demanding off-road terrain.

Those features give the special edition the hardware needed to tackle rocky trails, steep climbs, and uneven surfaces.

The four-door configuration also gives the Wrangler enough room for passengers and outdoor gear, keeping the vehicle practical for longer adventures.

A cabin with exclusive Smoky Mountain details

Inside, Jeep continues the theme with a combination of durable materials and special commemorative touches.

The seats use Premium Black Ferndale cloth with a rugged texture and deeper side bolsters. The upper seat sections feature an embossed 1941 Willys parachute graphic, connecting the special edition to Jeep history.

The cabin features exclusive seating, Terracotta stitching, Blaze Orange details, and commemorative Smoky Mountain graphics.

The interior also includes Terracotta contrast stitching, metallic Blaze Orange accents, Addax technical-pattern trim, and smoked-finish carbon details.

A commemorative plaque on the rear swing gate features the Wrangler drop motif with a 1941 Willys parachute against a star-filled Smoky Mountain night sky.

Additional standard equipment includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a universal garage-door opener.

Pricing and availability

Orders are now open for the 2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain Special Edition.

The package is offered on the four-door Wrangler with either the 2.0-liter automatic or 3.6-liter automatic powertrain.

Jeep says the special edition costs only $80 more than a comparably equipped Wrangler Willys, giving buyers a relatively affordable way to add exclusive styling and equipment.

With its distinctive design, Trail Rated hardware, larger tire options, and limited-series status, the 2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain is designed to appeal directly to the enthusiasts who have made Jeep culture such a major part of the brand.