Indy cars will roar through the streets of Washington, D.C., this summer after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to place a race in the nation’s capital.
Called the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., the race will be part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
Roger Penske, majority owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, was in the Oval Office at the White House when Trump signed the order.
“This is a really amazing time for us as a company to support the 250th anniversary for the country, and there’s no better way for us to bring automotive and speed into the DC area and to have the opportunity to be able to compete here with our Indy cars,” Penske said. “This race will be amazing, certainly.”
The Freedom 250 is set for Aug. 23, fit into the IndyCar schedule between races in Ontario, Canada (Aug. 16) and Milwaukee (Aug. 29).
“INDYCAR racing is a source of pride and entertainment for our Nation, which is why I am pleased to announce the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.,” Trump said in the executive order. “This race, the first motor race ever to be held in our Nation’s capital near the National Mall, will showcase the majesty of our great city as drivers navigate a track around our iconic national monuments in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.”
The order gives Doug Bergum, the secretary of the interior, and Sean Duffy, the secretary of transportation, and their staffs 14 days to designate the route. They were further instructed to work with all necessary federal departments and Washington, D.C., city officials on race preparations.
–Field Level Media
