President Donald Trump’s historic IndyCar race through Washington, D.C. is set to take place Sunday as part of celebrations for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The first-of-its-kind event, dubbed the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, was organized by Freedom 250, the Trump-backed group established to help celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial. Drivers participating in the IndyCar race will dash along Pennsylvania Avenue, loop around the National Archives and speed past several of the nation’s storied institutions, including the Capitol and the Washington Monument.
There are 25 drivers expected to take part in the 147-lap circuit — which has a total race distance of about 250 miles. Drivers could reach speeds of up to 180 miles per hour during the event. Some of the top Indy drivers, including series champion Alex Palou and Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist, are expected to participate.
The president is expected to kick off the race by waving a green flag around 1 p.m. He will also take a ceremonial lap in the presidential limousine, known as “The Beast.” The race caps off America’s 250 celebrations marking the nation’s semiquincentennial. Celebrations began earlier this summer with a UFC cage match at the White House and also included the Great American State Fair.
The course layout for the Freedom 250 IndyCar runs through the heart of Washington, D.C., and will take drivers past several historic institutions. The longest straight on the course will run up Pennsylvania Avenue, then take drivers past the National Gallery of Art, which has added reinforcements to protect its work from the vibrations caused by the race. Drivers will also pass the Canadian Embassy, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Archives, the National Mall as well as the National Air and Space Museum.
During the race, drivers will loop around the course 147 times, totaling in about 250 miles. The Federal Aviation Administration is pausing flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for several hours today as the nation’s capital celebrates the Freedom 250 Grand Prix with flyovers and other events. Between at least 10:15 a.m.
ET, flights will be paused. That is subject to change. The FAA is asking travelers to check their flight status with their airlines.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
