In Pictures

Photos: IndyCars speed past Washington landmarks as part of Freedom 250

Race cars take over central Washington, DC, as the Trump-created Freedom 250 Grand Prix debuts.

Freedom 250 IndyCar Trump — A pit crew works in front of the National Gallery of Art during a practice before the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar series race in Washington, DC. [Nathan Howard/Reuters]

By AP and Reuters

Race cars have roared through the streets of Washington, DC, in the shadow of its landmarks as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, created by United States President Donald Trump, has kicked off.

Before Sunday’s first-of-its-kind race, IndyCar drivers tested open-wheel cars at speeds of up to 298 kilometres per hour (185 miles per hour) on Saturday over the bumps and bends of a seven-turn, 2.7km (1.7-mile) course that winds around the Washington Monument, the US Capitol, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum along the National Mall.

Spain’s Alex Palou, the championship leader with six wins this season, claimed his seventh pole position of the campaign with a qualifying lap of 56.899 seconds after setting the fastest practice time of 56.614 seconds.

But results took a back seat to the dramatic backdrop for Sunday’s race, which Trump established by executive order as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the US.

Organisers expected up to 100,000 people to attend, including Trump.

A field of 25 drivers contested 147 laps on Sunday over a total distance of 400km (250 miles), making it the second-longest street race in IndyCar history after 500km (310-mile) events held in Cleveland in 1982 and 1983.

Race cars have roared through the streets of Washington, DC, in the shadow of iconic landmarks as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, created by former US President Donald Trump, began with practice and qualifying for Sunday’s first-of-its-kind event. IndyCar drivers tested open-wheel cars at speeds of up to 185mph (298km/h) on Saturday over the bumps and bends of a seven-turn, 1.7-mile (2.7km) course that winds around the Washington Monument, the US Capitol, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum along the National Mall. Spain’s Alex Palou, the championship leader with six wins this season, claimed his seventh pole position of the campaign with a qualifying lap of 56.899 seconds after setting the fastest practice time of 56.614 seconds. But results took a back seat to the dramatic backdrop for Sunday’s race, which Trump established by executive order as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Organisers expect up to 100,000 people to attend the event, with Trump among those due to be present. Freedom 250 IndyCar Trump — The race is the latest of Trump’s celebrations this year to mark the 250th birthday of the US. [Nick Wass/AP Photo]

President Trump and Melania Trump watch the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix. [Alex Brandon/AP Photo]

Driver Marcus Armstrong rides past the National Archives. [Rod Lamkey Jr/AP Photo]

A driver passes in front of the U.S. Capitol during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar Series race in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 23, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard — A driver passes in front of the US Capitol. [Nathan Howard/Reuters]