Trump completes 'fast and furious' takeover of Washington with IndyCar race

Former President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance in Washington D.C. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, waving the green flag to officially start the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race through the city's streets. The event saw 25 IndyCars reaching speeds of nearly 200 mph on a temporary 1.7-mile circuit that wound past iconic landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall. Thousands of spectators gathered to witness the historic race, which was a key part of the ongoing celebrations for America's 250th birthday.

Before signaling the start of the race, President Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, took a ceremonial lap of the course in the presidential limousine. The street race was the first of its kind in the nation's capital and drew an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 attendees. IndyCar series owner Roger Penske, a long-time associate of Trump's, was instrumental in bringing the event to Washington.

The organization of the event involved significant logistical preparations, including the welding down of over 200 manhole covers to prevent them from being displaced by the high-speed cars. The race, which saw Kyle Kirkwood claim victory, also served as one of several high-profile spectacles championed by Trump to commemorate the semiquincentennial of American independence.