Graham Rahal shares 'flat-out' criticism for IndyCar's questionable choice for 2026 schedule

IndyCar star Graham Rahal recently came out and shared his take on the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, taking place on the 4th of July weekend. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver criticised the American open wheel racing series’ decision to have a race on the National Holiday.

July 4th is the Independence Day of the United States and is one of the biggest holidays celebrated by the citizens. People spend the day gathering close ones, having a barbecue, and drinking. However, the IndyCar drivers will be racing on the national holiday.

During the 2025 IndyCar season, the Mid-Ohio race took place during the July 4th weekend, and the same will be the case during the 2026 season. This year, the practice session took place at Mid-Ohio on Independence Day, whereas for 2026, the qualifying session will take place.

Graham Rahal came out on the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast and shared his take on the new tracks introduced by IndyCar for the 2026 calendar, along with some other changes. While detailing the same, he criticized IndyCar's decision to continue racing at Mid-Ohio on July 4th.

The RLL driver detailed how he, just like every other US Citizen, wants to relax with close ones and celebrate the holiday, but instead will be racing at Mid-Ohio. Graham Rahal said,

“You know, Mid-Ohio is great. I don't like Mid-Ohio on 4th of July. I'll be on my grave on that one. I don't like it. I'm a proud American. No offense. I love racing, but I want to drink beer on the 4th of July. I'll flat out say it. I don't like racing on the 4th of July.” (21:50 onwards) “Also, the crowd has been smaller. I don't care what anybody says. The crowd was bigger when it wasn't on the 4th. People want to be on a lake. People have plans, right? Like, unless you've been doing it for a long time,” added Graham Rahal “It's not just me. Everybody wants to be with their family. Everybody wants to be on the lake. Everybody, I mean, you do. We all do, you know? I mean, that's just the reality. So I don't like it,” he added

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Graham Rahal on the IndyCar race in Washington, DC; Penske Entertainment CEO explains why it wasn't feasible

Graham Rahal on the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast suggested how an IndyCar race in Washington, DC would be great, as he said,

"You know, I think that there's things that could be different, but you hear this Washington, DC street race. That'd be great if they can make it happen.”

Rumors of IndyCar wanting to host a street race in Washington, DC, on the 4th of July weekend circled the paddock towards the end of the season. However, the same was not in the 2026 calendar, and Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles came out and explained the reason behind it.

Miles explained how FOX presented the idea, but the same wasn't feasible in just a year's time.

“It's just, it's a temporary street circuit. You all know how much is involved in trying to make that work. Imagine trying to make that work in the nation's capital with less than a year's notice, really. It just wasn't in the cards. But it doesn't mean that it couldn't be an opportunity a little further down the line,” said Mark Miles (via Pit Pass Indy podcast)

While there is going to be a UFC event in the White House on July 4th weekend, preparing for an IndyCar race in the Capital city in just a year's time had logistical as well as security challenges.

Edited by Pranay Bhagi