WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 30 to host an IndyCar race in Washington, as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
The Freedom250 Grand Prix is scheduled for Aug. 23 and will be broadcast on Fox Sports, with festivities kicking off on Aug. 21.
The departments are tasked with securing all necessary permits and approvals “expeditiously.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been authorized to use existing funds to support the event and to work with the FAA to permit the use of unmanned aircraft systems and aerial photography, enhancing public enjoyment while protecting nearby government facilities.
The administration will also coordinate with Bowser’s office to ensure infrastructure, including bridges, is maintained and suitable for the race course.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described the event, which will be free for spectators, as “really amazing,” adding, “We’re celebrating greatness with American motor racing.”
IndyCar owner Roger Penske said the event provides a unique opportunity to bring high-speed racing to the nation’s capital.
Bowser echoed the excitement in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, emphasizing the economic benefits for the city.
“The race weekend will rev up the economic engine of D.C., filling our hotels and restaurants and showcasing the city as a prime destination for major sports events,” she said.
“I invite all sports fans to enjoy the Freedom 250 and all that Washington, D.C., has to offer.”
According to the White House, the race will highlight both the beauty of the nation’s capital and the power of American engineering, technology, and high-performance racing.
Bud Denker, president of Penske Corporation, noted that while IndyCar had sought congressional approval to hold a race on Capitol grounds, the effort was unsuccessful, prompting the decision to host the event near the National Mall instead.
This will be the first motor racing event held in the nation’s capital. The race will need congressional approval since there is a ban on advertising on the National Mall.
The IndyCar race will be just one of several sporting events in Washington celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. On June 14, the White House will host a UFC fight, and later in the fall, the Patriot Games will bring together high school athletes from across the country to compete in a variety of events.