Trump Signs Order for First-Ever IndyCar Street Race in Washington, D.C.

In case you missed it, President Trump said on Friday that he had signed an executive order announcing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. This will be an IndyCar street race that the White House says will be free to the general public, with a live broadcast on Fox Sports. This will be the first-ever motor race in the capital, near the National Mall, with the last official street race held on July 4, 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson celebrated the first Independence Day at the White House (then known as the President’s House) by hosting a public festival that included horse races.

Route Still to be Determined

The full executive order on whitehouse.gov reveals that a route has not yet been laid out, but the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Transportation are expected to designate one within 14 days of the order. Mention was also made of the route including at least part of Pennsylvania Avenue, so the racers will likely pass the White House. Naturally, organizers will need to ensure that the path is suitable for the speeds of IndyCar race cars and their low ground clearance, with adequate safety protocols in place should a crash occur. The event, billed as a tribute to the United States Armed Forces, is expected to cater to over 350,000 people, which is the usual count for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race’s Sunday festivities, the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event. Total weekend attendance will likely be far higher, though, since last year’s British Formula One Grand Prix drew over half a million people from Thursday practice sessions to the race on Sunday. The highest single-day attendance figure in F1 is still American, though, with over 250,000 attending the 2000 U.S. GP at Indianapolis.

Washington, D.C.’s Race Won’t Impact F1 Fans

Hardcore open-wheel racing fans will have a very long day if they want to watch both Washington, D.C.’s first IndyCar street race and the Formula One goings on, as the Dutch Grand Prix, held at the Zandvoort Circuit, will be on the same weekend. The F1 race starts at 9 AM ET, and the IndyCar race will likely take place around the same time that the Indianoplis 500 starts, 12:45 ET. If that proves to be the case, motorsport fans should have enough time to take a break once the F1 finishes before watching the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.