In brief
In a historic first for the capital, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took the ceremonial lap of a 1.7‑mile road‑race that traversed Washington DC’s monuments. The event, part of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, saw IndyCars zoom at speeds up to 190 mph past landmarks like the Washington Monument and the National Mall. A flyover by the Air Force One followed the finish line, marking the race’s high‑profile finish. The 25‑driver field covered 147 laps for a 250‑mile course, reflecting the country’s quarter‑millennium anniversary. The race drew about 140,000 fans, with extensive road closures and a $5,000 premium ticket option.
President Donald Trump was among hundreds who gathered along the streets of Washington DC to see the IndyCar race that celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday. Both he and First Lady Melania Trump took a ceremonial lap of the 1.7‑mile track in The Beast, the president’s limousine.
At the finish line, the new Air Force One completed a flyover above the capital, giving the event a spectacular finish.
It is the first time a professional road‑race has been hosted in Washington DC. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix featured 25 drivers who completed 147 laps, covering a 250‑mile course that paid tribute to the country’s anniversary.
Speeds up to 190 mph (306 km/h) allowed the IndyCars to zip past the Washington Monument and museums on the National Mall, before passing a finish line framed by the U.S. Capitol building.
The 140,000‑plus estimated crowd was largely drawn by free general admission tickets awarded through a lottery. Premium passes were sold for $5,000 each, and the event required a three‑hour airspace closure at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for the U.S. military flyover.
American driver Josef Newgarden told reporters that racing through the capital was “super unique” and “very special” for celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary.
The race was part of a series of summer events, which also included a UFC fight on the White House lawn and a fireworks show on July 4.
