Former President Donald Trump has announced ambitious plans to bring high-speed IndyCar racing to the streets of Washington DC this summer, as part of the festivities marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the White House on Friday, where Trump signed an executive order formally establishing the event.
A Presidential Push for Speed
Flanked by racing magnate Roger Penske, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar series itself, Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "It's going to be so exciting," the former president declared. "I love the racing. I don't have a lot of time to watch it, but I love the racing." The executive order sets the date for the street race as 23 August, with vehicles expected to roar past iconic landmarks at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.
Showcasing the Capital's Majesty
According to a news release from IndyCar, the proposed route is set to include the National Mall, offering a spectacular backdrop for the competition. The executive order mandates that the US Departments of Transportation and the Interior have just two weeks to designate a suitable route through the capital. This route must be capable of hosting an IndyCar street race while "showcasing the majesty of our capital city" in honour of the nation's semiquincentennial.
The order further directs city officials and other relevant authorities to collaborate closely with the race organisers to ensure the event's success. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was present at the Oval Office signing, captured the event's spirit, exclaiming, "To think, 190 miles an hour down Pennsylvania Avenue. This is going to be wild."
Part of a Broader Sporting Celebration
This IndyCar race continues a pattern of Trump embracing major sporting events during his political career. Much of his recent domestic travel has been structured around attending significant games and competitions, such as the NCAA football national championship in Florida. The America 250 celebrations also include plans for a UFC fight on the White House grounds, scheduled for 14 June—a date that coincidentally marks Trump's 80th birthday.
However, the former president indicated he would not be attending the upcoming Super Bowl in California, citing the distance. In the case of the IndyCar race, the spectacle is coming directly to him in Washington.
Overcoming Historical Hurdles
Organisers revealed that they had long lobbied members of Congress to authorise a road race in Washington but had faced repeated setbacks. When Secretary Duffy inquired about the last such event in the capital, he was informed it occurred in 1801 during Thomas Jefferson's administration and involved horses. Trump responded to this historical tidbit with a characteristic, "That's something."
"Now we're going to do a real race," Duffy asserted, announcing that the event would be free for the public. He framed it as a quintessentially American experience: "Freedom, America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn't get more American than that."
Trump emphasised the importance of selecting the optimal course, urging organisers to "pick the best site" even if it presented greater logistical challenges. "It's very important," he stated. "Even if it's more difficult to get, to get approved, pick the absolute best site." Roger Penske echoed the sentiment, suggesting there was "no better way for us to bring automotive and speed into the DC area, and to be able to have the opportunity to compete here with our IndyCars."
