Trump arrives at high-speed IndyCar race through Washington's streets
The president took a ceremonial lap of the track before the race, which is the culmination of a summer of events to mark the country's 250th birthday.
President Donald Trump has arrived at the high-speed IndyCar race coursing through the streets of Washington D.C., an event that caps off a series of summer celebrations marking the country's 250th anniversary.
The President and First Lady Melania Trump completed a ceremonial lap of the 1.7-mile circuit in his presidential limousine, "The Beast." As they reached the finish line, Trump's new Air Force One performed a flyover above the capital.
This "Freedom 250 Grand Prix" represents the first time professional road racing has been hosted in the capital. Melania Trump was seen waving to fans from the track.
Despite Washington D.C. having the lowest speed limit in the United States at a maximum of 55 mph (89 km/h), some of the world's fastest drivers will be zooming past the capital's renowned monuments and museums at speeds up to 190 mph (306 km/h) starting at 13:00 EST (18:00 BST) on Sunday.
Twenty-five professional drivers are competing in the event, which features 147 laps and seven critical turns, making for a total 250-mile course—a tribute to the nation's anniversary. The drivers will race past the Washington Monument and museums on the National Mall before crossing a finish line with the U.S. Capitol building in view. The BBC's Helena Humphrey conducted a test drive of the track earlier in the week.
Similar to Formula 1, the IndyCar series is a road race showcasing open-wheel, single-seater cars. However, unlike F1, where teams design and build their own vehicles, IndyCar engines are exclusively supplied by either Chevrolet or Honda.
Organizers of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix anticipate approximately 140,000 attendees, with many having received free general admission tickets through a lottery. Nevertheless, premium packages were reportedly selling for around $3,600 for a pair of passes on Saturday, according to CBS, the BBC's U.S. partner.
The event has demanded a significant logistical and security effort from the city, resulting in extensive road closures, bolted-down manholes, and road resurfacing. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which primarily handles domestic flights, experienced a three-hour airspace closure to accommodate the U.S. military flyover.
Earlier this summer, other events hosted by Trump included an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn and a fireworks display on July 4th.