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American Legion’s Official Charity partnership with INDYCAR creates once-In-a-lifetime opportunity during historic Washington, D.C., race to honor those who serve.

Thousands of veterans and active-duty servicemembers will have a dedicated space to experience the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix through a special hospitality initiative led by �鶹��ƵAV, the nation’s largest veterans service organization.

As an Official Charity Partner of INDYCAR, �鶹��ƵAV has invited veterans and active-duty military personnel who received complimentary tickets to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix to register for American Legion Hospitality, Fueled by Droplight. Located in the heart of Washington, the unique experience will provide space for approximately 2,000 guests during a historic weekend that brings the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the nation’s capital.

“�鶹��ƵAV has a long history of bringing veterans and servicemembers together, and this is a remarkable opportunity to do that in the nation’s capital,” said Mario Marquez, Executive Director of Government Affairs at �鶹��ƵAV. “The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we wanted to make sure those who have served and those who continue to serve have a place to come together, enjoy the experience and learn more about the programs and services available to them through �鶹��ƵAV.”

The opportunity comes as more than 140,000 fans have received complimentary tickets to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix through the event’s public ticket program. Following the ticket distribution, �鶹��ƵAV opened registration specifically for ticket holders who are veterans or currently serving in the U.S. military, creating one of the largest veteran-focused hospitality activations associated with a motorsports event in Washington, D.C.

The initiative is supported by motorsports partner Droplight, which has worked with �鶹��ƵAV to support its mission of serving veterans, servicemembers and their families.

"Droplight was built by people who believe the strength of this country comes from the communities that quietly hold it together and no one embodies that more than our veterans and service members," said Joseph Anderson, CEO of Droplight. "We've stood alongside �鶹��ƵAV for the past year, and this is a natural extension of that work. On a weekend when the whole country is watching, the people who earned the right to celebrate should have a place of their own to do it. The Legion has been showing up for these families for more than a century. We're proud to help them do it in the nation's capital."

A Historic Race in the Nation’s Capital. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix marks the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the streets of Washington and is part of the national celebration surrounding America’s 250th anniversary. The temporary street circuit will bring top-level open-wheel racing into the heart of the nation’s capital for a one-time event that cannot be replicated once the race weekend concludes.

“The Freedom 250 Grand Prix marks the first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the streets of Washington, D.C. and serves as a centerpiece of the national celebration of America’s 250th,” said INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. “It’s impossible to celebrate the founding of our country without acknowledging and honoring those who have served and are still serving. We don’t get to race without those brave men and women, and we’re grateful to �鶹��ƵAV for enhancing their experience in D.C..”

For �鶹��ƵAV, the hospitality experience provides an opportunity to put its mission directly in front of veterans, active-duty servicemembers, military families and a national audience while creating meaningful connections in the nation’s capital.

�鶹��ƵAV’s mission will be a central part of the experience. American Legion accredited service officers will be onsite to answer questions and help veterans navigate available benefits and services, including assistance with VA disability claims. Legion representatives also will be available to share information about the organization’s programs and resources for veterans, service members and their families.

A featured attraction will be �鶹��ƵAV’s national Humvee Sweepstakes, offering race attendees an opportunity to see a street-legal military Humvee up close. The vehicle has traveled across the country as part of �鶹��ƵAV’s national fundraising campaign. Guests will be able to take photographs with the Humvee and learn how to enter the no-cost nationwide sweepstakes, which supports �鶹��ƵAV’s mission of serving veterans, servicemembers and their families.

�鶹��ƵAV’s partnership with INDYCAR extends beyond individual race events. As the series’ Official Charity Partner, the organization has worked with INDYCAR, its drivers and teams to bring greater visibility to issues affecting the veteran community, including its “Be the One” mission, which encourages everyone to take action to prevent veteran suicide.

Through track activations, fan engagement and partnerships across the INDYCAR paddock, �鶹��ƵAV is using the reach of motorsports to connect more veterans and military families with the organization’s century-long commitment to service, advocacy and support for veterans, servicemembers and their families.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix activation continues that effort – giving thousands of those who have served an opportunity to come together, be recognized and experience a historic race weekend in the heart of the nation’s capital.