Washington, DC is entering a major weekend of motorsport as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix begins around the National Mall.
The two day event opened on Saturday, August 22. IndyCar teams are taking part in practice and qualifying before Sunday’s main race. The weekend is part of the celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Saturday’s program includes two IndyCar practice sessions and qualifying. The city is also hosting special IROC races featuring well known drivers from the history of American motorsport.
The main Freedom 250 IndyCar race will take place on Sunday, August 23. It will be the first NTT IndyCar Series race held on the streets around the National Mall.
The track is 1.7 miles long and has seven turns. It runs close to some of Washington’s best known landmarks.
Drivers will race near the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. The route also passes the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
The unusual setting is one of the main attractions of the event.
IndyCar races are normally held at purpose built tracks or other established racing venues. This weekend puts the cars on city streets in the center of the nation’s capital.
That has required a major change to normal traffic patterns.
Several roads around the National Mall are closed or restricted. The city has warned drivers about delays and has urged visitors to plan their travel before coming into the area.
The road closures began before the weekend because crews needed time to build the circuit and safety areas.
Barriers have been installed along the course. Other changes have been made to prepare city streets for high speed racing.
The event is free to attend in designated public areas, although access requires tickets for specific viewing zones. Organizers expect large crowds during the weekend.
Saturday’s schedule is focused on preparing the field for Sunday’s race.
Practice gives drivers a chance to learn the unusual street circuit. Qualifying then decides the starting order for the main event.
The circuit presents a different challenge from a normal racing track. Drivers have little room for error because walls and barriers are close to the racing line.
The narrow course also means that traffic management and safety are major parts of the event.
The weekend includes more than IndyCar racing.
IROC has returned for a special exhibition featuring several major names from motorsport history. The lineup includes former NASCAR champions Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott. Indianapolis 500 winners Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti are also taking part.
Their presence gives the weekend another link to the history of American racing.
The Freedom 250 was created as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. It was formally established through an executive order in January.
The event is also expected to bring visitors into downtown Washington.
Hotels, restaurants and other local businesses could benefit from the extra crowds. The race comes during a period when Washington normally sees less business from government workers and visitors.
City officials have also had to prepare for the impact on traffic.
The large number of road closures means normal journeys may take longer. Visitors have been encouraged to use public transportation where possible.
The race has attracted major corporate support as well. Several large companies have signed on as sponsors for the event.
President Donald Trump is also expected to take part in the weekend through a ceremonial appearance before Sunday’s race.
For IndyCar, the event offers a chance to reach people who may not normally attend motorsport races.
For Washington, it is an unusual way to mark America’s 250th year.
Saturday is only the beginning. Practice and qualifying will set the stage for Sunday’s 250 mile race.
The main event will bring the fastest cars onto a street course surrounded by some of America’s most important landmarks.
For one weekend, Washington’s roads are becoming a racing circuit.
And when the green flag falls on Sunday, the capital will host an IndyCar race unlike any other in the series’ history.
