Trump Opens IndyCar Race Through Washington Streets

President Donald Trump waved the green flag Sunday to start the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, sending IndyCar drivers racing through the streets of Washington, D.C., at speeds far beyond the capital’s normal traffic limits as part of celebrations marking the nation’s 250th birthday.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump first took a ceremonial lap around the 1.7-mile course in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast. As they reached the finish line, the president’s new Air Force One completed a flyover above the capital, the BBC reported. CBS News reported that the flyover featured a B-2 stealth bomber and the Qatar-gifted Air Force One escorted by four fighter jets.

The president then waved the green flag as 25 professional drivers began the 147-lap race, a 250-mile course whose distance was designed as a nod to the anniversary. The route took open-wheel cars through downtown Washington, including a stretch along Pennsylvania Avenue not far from the White House, past the Washington Monument and museums on the National Mall, and toward a finish line with the U.S. Capitol in view.

The race brought professional road racing to the capital for the first time, according to the BBC. Washington has the lowest maximum speed limit in the United States at 55 mph, but drivers on Sunday reached up to 190 mph, the BBC reported. CBS News said the cars approached 200 mph, while noting that IndyCars are capable of reaching 230 mph.

Pre-race ceremonies included a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by tenor Christopher Macchio, whom CBS News described as a favorite singer of the president. Hundreds gathered for the event, and organizers said about 140,000 people were expected to attend, with many receiving free general admission tickets through a lottery. Premium packages sold for $5,000 for a pair of passes, the BBC reported.

The event required major preparations across the city. Road closures were widespread, manholes were bolted down and streets were resurfaced. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was placed under a three-hour airspace closure to accommodate the military flyover. The National Gallery of Art conducted vibration tests to ensure its collection could withstand the rumble of the engines.

Many spectators arrived after winning lottery tickets, the BBC reported. Some wore Uncle Sam hats, and one woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Families traveled from across the country for what they viewed as a rare event.

American driver Josef Newgarden told the BBC the setting carried special meaning.

“It’s super unique. You might never see this again, and as an American driver, it’s very special celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country,” he said. “It’s a beautiful city, and it’s very surreal.”

IndyCar series owner Roger Penske, a longtime friend of Trump who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from him in 2019, helped lead the effort to bring the race to Washington, CBS News reported. Trump told Fox on Sunday that Penske had been trying to bring the race to the city for 20 years.

“When he came to see Trump, it got done in about 15 minutes, and it’s turned out to be much bigger than we ever even thought possible,” Trump said, referring to himself in the third person.

An executive order Trump signed earlier this year called for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and said the event would “showcase the majesty of our great city as drivers navigate a track around our iconic national monuments in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.”

The race capped a series of summer anniversary events. The BBC reported that Trump earlier hosted an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn and a Fourth of July fireworks show. CBS News reported that he also appeared last month at the World Cup final, where he presented the trophy to winner Spain.