200 mph Freedom 250 Grand Prix Draws 100,000 to DC Streets
The nation’s capital hosted its first IndyCar race in over two decades, with President Donald Trump waving the green flag and taking a ceremonial lap in the presidential limousine before open-wheel cars sped past Capitol Hill at nearly 200 miles per hour.
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More than 100,000 spectators packed the streets of Washington, D.C., on Sunday for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a centerpiece of America’s 250th birthday celebrations [225907]. The event marked the first major auto competition in the capital in more than 24 years, with drivers hitting speeds of up to 180 miles per hour on a purpose-built track along Pennsylvania Avenue and around the National Mall [225829][225550].
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the race, with the president waving the green flag to start the event and taking a ceremonial lap around the track beforehand in the presidential limousine, known as "The Beast" [225806][225550]. Trump had previously described the race as part of a summer of celebrations honoring the country’s 250th birthday, which has included a UFC fight on the White House lawn, military flyovers, and a massive July Fourth fireworks show [225550].
The event was authorized by an executive order Trump signed in January that allowed the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue to regular traffic for the Grand Prix [224908]. IndyCar series owner Roger Penske, a longtime Trump friend and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, is funding most of the race, including track construction and road improvements [225550]. Workers welded more than 200 manhole covers shut to ensure the cars could safely navigate the course [225550].
Fans at the event described an overwhelming sense of American pride, with many saying the atmosphere differed from typical NFL, NBA, or MLB games [225927]. “You don’t see this at a regular football game,” one attendee said. “Here, everyone is cheering together. It’s about the country, not just a team” [225927]. Organizers said the setting—in the shadow of national monuments—amplified the patriotic mood, with fans waving flags and wearing red, white, and blue [225927].
IndyCar driver Graham Rahal called competing in the race an "iconic moment," noting the significance of racing past Capitol Hill [223690]. The event was broadcast live on network television, with practice and qualifying sessions available through the series’ official streaming platform [224933]. The race is privately funded, with no public tax dollars used to build the track or cover operational costs [224933].
Road closures around the National Mall began early Friday morning and will last through late Sunday night, with pedestrian access to some memorials limited but main paths remaining open [224933]. The event marks the first time a major open-wheel racing series has been staged on the federal street [224908].