Trump caps summer of US 250th birthday at IndyCar race through Washington

US President Donald Trump marked the nation's 250th anniversary by presiding over the first-ever IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a high-profile auto race that traversed the streets of Washington D.C. The event served as the culmination of a summer filled with sports and spectacle, drawing crowds to witness drivers speed past the capital's most recognizable landmarks, including the National Mall, the US Capitol, and the National Archives.

The marquee event, which officials estimated would draw approximately 200,000 spectators, featured free general admission tickets, though private trackside club passes sold for $5,000. President Trump's motorcade completed an honorary lap before he officially started the 250-mile race by waving the green flag. This marked a departure from the typical IndyCar tradition of the flag being waved from a tower at the start/finish line, as Trump remained in his presidential box for the ceremony.

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I don't know if anything will ever top what we're going to be having.

This race is the latest in a series of high-profile sporting events Trump has leveraged to celebrate the country and his second term. These events have occurred even as his approval ratings have dipped and the US remains engaged in a conflict with Iran. Earlier in the summer, Trump opened festivities with a professional mixed martial arts bout on the White House South Lawn and presented a trophy to the FIFA World Cup champion Spain. He also appeared at the "Patriot Games," a televised competition for high school athletes.

For Trump, these spectacles serve to enhance his domestic and global profile. The UFC fight card was streamed internationally, and he made a notable appearance during the World Cup trophy presentation. IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward expressed a sense of unreality about racing in such a unique and picturesque setting, stating, "We never thought that we were going to be racing here anytime in 2026." The Washington race, however, has also faced criticism, though the article does not detail the nature of these objections.

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We never thought that we were going to be racing here anytime in 2026. Everyone's excited that we're here and, I mean, it's a pretty picturesque backdrop.