Trump To Attend Historic IndyCar Grand Prix On Washington's National Mall

President Donald Trump is expected to kick off the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on Sunday by waving a green flag and taking a ceremonial lap in his presidential limousine, "The Beast."

The two-day IndyCar event begins Saturday at 8 a.m. ET with practice and qualifying sessions. The main race on Sunday will feature 25 drivers completing 147 laps of a 1.7-mile circuit around Washington, D.C.'s National Mall, passing the Capitol, Washington Monument, and National Gallery of Art. Drivers will reach speeds of up to 170 miles per hour, covering a total race distance of approximately 250 miles.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expects 140,000 visitors per day for the race festivities. The event is part of this summer’s America 250 celebrations marking the country’s semiquincentennial, which have also included the Great American State Fair and a UFC cage match at the White House. The race required D.C. streets to be converted into a temporary circuit, costing more than $35 million, which IndyCar paid in full.

Washington has drawn on a separate $90 million fund for security and emergency planning. Workers welded down over 200 manhole covers on the 250-mile circuit to prevent them from tearing off. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) expressed alarm over the event's affiliation with Freedom 250, which he described as a corrupt organization. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated, "What’s more American than fast cars racing through the streets of our nation’s capital?"

IndyCar drivers, including Kyle Kirkwood, expressed excitement about racing past the Capitol building and museums, calling it a serious honor and privilege. Rinus VeeKay, a Dutch driver, also noted the unique experience.