The drivers of the NTT IndyCar Series will spend late August racing in front of a wildly unique backdrop — the United States Capitol — as they take part in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C.
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This historic street race, which President Donald Trump announced on Jan. 30 with an executive order, will feature the top drivers in IndyCar completing dozens of laps around a 1.66-mile street circuit.
They will race around the National Mall while zooming past the National Archives, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and other national landmarks.
Photo credit: IndyCar
This seven-turn course will put the start-finish line on 3rd St. Drivers will take the green flag to start the race and the checkered flag to end the race directly in front of the United States Capitol. They will make their pit stops on Pennsylvania Ave.
Penske Corporation President Bud Denker said during Monday's press conference that he expects drivers to complete a lap in under 60 seconds.
"I've gotta say, this is the most unique thing I've ever seen in motorsports," two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden said during the circuit unveiling. "I've been racing for 15 years professionally, and I've certainly never done anything like this."
Newgarden added that fans will not have a bad seat during this historic weekend in Washington D.C. He said that they can roam around and see all of the action taking place on the street course.
This race will be free and open to the public. This is something that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said during the January announcement from the Oval Office.
Monday's news conference reiterated this message to the public. Fans can just show up to the course — after getting a free ticket — and take in some high-speed racing. They won't have to worry about rising costs.
This race will also air on Fox as part of an ongoing partnership between the broadcast network and the IndyCar series.
"America's story is one of vision and courage, perseverance, and speed," said Ambassador Monica Crowley, who serves as President Trump's ambassador for major events.
"We do things fast in the United States of America. We are only 250 years old and look at what we've accomplished in that short amount of time.
"What better way to honor our nation's 250th birthday than to host this Grand Prix race in our nation's capital during our big birthday year?"
