A roaring display of American muscle will be unleashed in the streets of Washington, D.C., this afternoon as IndyCar racers zoom through the city in a first-of-its-kind race, capping off a summer of celebration for America's 250th birthday. "President [Donald] Trump is ensuring America gets the spectacular birthday it deserves as we celebrate our 250th anniversary," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital. The race is called the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, and top IndyCar drivers, including this year's Indianapolis 500 winner, Felix Rosenqvist, will take to the streets of the nation's capital vying for victory in vehicles designed to drive at nearly 200 mph.
DRIVERS JOSEF NEWGARDEN AND KYLE KIRKWOOD TALK INDYCAR'S 'ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME' FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX The course is a 1.7-mile, seven-turn circuit including a .4-mile front stretch along Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House. "The historic IndyCar race set to take place in our Nation’s Capital will be one of the greatest and most iconic races in history," Ingle said. "The President will leave his imprint on this historic race in a way that only he can." RACER STING RAY ROBB GEARS UP FOR FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX: 'THIS IS MORE THAN JUST AN INDYCAR EVENT' Rep.
Erin Houchin, R-Ind., whose home state is also the country's motorsports capital, said the event made her proud of her fellow Hoosiers. "For 250 years, Americans have been willing to take risks and innovate, and compete, and dream bigger. And, you know, Indycar racing certainly is a testament to that through motorsports, through excellence in manufacturing, and ingenuity — and Indiana certainly embodies that tradition," Houchin told Fox News Digital.
INDYCAR DRIVER GRAHAM RAHAL REFLECTS ON OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE AT FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX: 'ICONIC MOMENT' Houchin also revealed that she got an up-close-and-personal preview of the event by riding in one of the cars for a fast lap around the track. "I mean, it was incredible. You go down that first straightaway, and it's so fast that you almost lose your stomach for a second.
It is thrilling to take one of those turns and see the U.S. It was really special," she said. INDYCAR STAR ALEX PALOU REFLECTS ON WHITE HOUSE, OVAL OFFICE VISIT WITH TRUMP: 'INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took point on the race's organization.
"What’s more American than fast cars racing through the streets of our nation’s capital? If that doesn’t make you proud to be an American, I don’t know what will," Duffy told Fox News Digital. "The Department of Transportation was proud to help bring President Trump’s one-of-a-kind vision to life this weekend for an unforgettable celebration of America’s talents, innovation, and drive for excellence.
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