August 21, 2026

Freedom 250, braking milestones, award winners

You know the best part about America’s 250th birthday? The celebrations last all year. 

It’s why we’re tuning into The Freedom 250 Grand Prix: an INDYCAR race like no other. GM News published a thorough primer on the event, which for the first time, sends race cars screaming past our capital’s finest landmarks.  

Prepare the birthday cake.  

In another piece of original content, GM News editor Chris Perkins penned a fresh edition of our series called ”GM Firsts”. This month: a deep dive on the GM EV1’s groundbreaking brakes, which laid the foundation for the company’s modern braking tech. It’s a fascinating read.  

Finally, another celebration is in order. Congratulations to Shriram Santhanagopalan, Rene Strauss, and William Hotchkiss, who were awarded by Automotive News as three of GM’s Rising Stars. The trio were selected for their technical leadership and awarded for their roles in transforming the automotive industry. Those celebrations tie into another reason to cheer: GM will launch a workforce initiative for veterans and military families. 

With so much to celebrate, it’s no wonder we’ve blocked off the whole year to party.  

Try not to fill up on cake, 

–Kyle Kinard, Managing Editor, GM News

 

How to enjoy the Freedom 250 Grand Prix
For the first time, race cars will streak past the National Mall in an extraordinary celebration of America’s landmark birthday.

GM Firsts: EV1 brakes
How an early General Motors EV pioneered braking tech that’s still in service today.

Automotive News awards three of GM’s “Rising Stars”
GM celebrates its award-winning innovators.

Every GM EV with NACS charging
Can your Chevy Bolt use a Supercharger? Find out here.

Stars, Stripes, and Skilled Trades
GM launches workforce initiative for veterans and military families.