Washington (United States) (AFP) – Race cars roared across Washington city streets in the shadow of iconic landmarks on Saturday as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, created by President Donald Trump, began with practice and qualifying for Sunday's first-of-its-kind event.
Issued on: 23/08/2026 - 00:54
3 min Reading time
IndyCar drivers tested open-wheel vehicles at speeds up to 185 mph (298 km/h) over the bumps and curves of a seven-turn, 1.7-mile course winding around the Washington Monument, US Capitol, National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum -- all along the National Mall."This is surreal for all of us drivers," said American Kyle Kirkwood, second in practice with a lap at 56.691 seconds. "The history, going around the museums, the monument, the Capitol building -- everything about this is something you dream about."Thirty years from now we're going to look back and realize that was one of the coolest races we've ever done."Spain's Alex Palou, the season points leader who has won six times this year, captured his seventh pole position of the campaign with a qualifying lap of 56.899 seconds after topping practice laps at 56.614."Such a privilege to be racing here. Spectacular place," said Palou, who made a White House visit earlier this week. "To see the buildings we have around, the Capitol when you exit turn seven, it's just incredible."Results, however, took a back seat to the epic backdrop for Sunday's race, which Trump created by executive order as part of celebrations for the 250th birthday of the United States."This is a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Bud Denker, Freedom 250 chairman and president of IndyCar owner Penske Corporation."The president and Cabinet members, they really made it happen," Denker said, citing work done in seven months that usually takes two years to complete.Organizers expect up to 100,000 people to attend the race, Trump among them.
