Freedom 250 Grand Prix: The Ultimate Summer Finale in Washington, D.C.
Summer in Washington kicks off with a UFC fight at the White House and wraps up with an IndyCar race around the National Mall. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, established by President Trump, will take place this weekend, marking the final major summer event in D.C. organized through the Freedom 250 initiative. Practice races start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, with the main race scheduled for 1:10 p.m. on Sunday. The race will cover 250 miles over 147 laps.
The race course starts near the Capitol Reflecting Pool, goes up Pennsylvania Avenue, around the National Archives, and through Ninth and Seventh streets before turning onto Independence Avenue and looping back to Third Street. Metro is recommended for transportation due to extensive road closures and bus detours. Eight Metro stations serve areas near the race, with normal weekend service and additional trains on standby for the end of the race.
The Federal Aviation Administration will halt flights at Reagan National Airport for three hours on Sunday to accommodate the race. Organizers expect 140,000 attendees per day, with general admission tickets already sold out. Spectators can access the viewing area listed on their ticket, either Stars or Stripes. Champion's Club tickets are available for purchase for a close-up view of the race, including food and drink.
Security will be tight at the event, with a large uniformed presence from various agencies. Attendees should expect airport-style security measures, including clear bags and prohibited items like coolers, aerosols, balloons, alcohol, food, and selfie-sticks. Drones are also prohibited. Attendees can bring one empty plastic water bottle for refill stations and should dress and hydrate accordingly. Cooling stations will be available on-site.
Penske Corp. has been preparing the racetrack for weeks, including securing all manholes in the race area to prevent them from becoming hazards. After the races, the manhole work will be reversed. Three Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are located within the ticketed-access zones for the Grand Prix. Visitors to these museums on Saturday and Sunday will need a Grand Prix ticket.