Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Freedom 250 Grand Prix follows a circuit through Washington DC (Getty)President Donald Trump will kick off the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington D.C. Sunday by waving a green flag.He will also take a ceremonial lap in the presidential limousine, which is known as “The Beast.”More than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the event, which will see 25 drivers compete 147 laps of a 1.7-mile circuit that passes by the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the National Gallery of Art.Drivers could reach speeds of up to 180 miles per hour during the race, which covers a total distance of roughly 250 miles.The race is part of this summer’s America 250 celebrations marking the country’s semiquincentennial, which have also included the Great American State Fair and the UFC cage match at the White House.In fullFreedom 250 Grand Prix Live: Starting lineup confirmed for IndyCar race in DC as Trump set to attendMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

President Donald Trump is transforming the streets around the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this weekend into an IndyCar motorsports mecca for the first time.

Americans are off to the races this weekend as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix begins for the first time in the nation’s capital.

Here is a first look at what downtown D.C. looks like ahead of the race in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.