IndyCar Opens 250-Mile Freedom 250 on Washington Streets as 140,000 Fans a Day Are Expected
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 22
IndyCar Opens 250-Mile Freedom 250 on Washington Streets as 140,000 Fans a Day Are Expected
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 22
Summary
Teams began loading into downtown Washington for the Freedom 250 weekend, turning Pennsylvania Avenue into the pit lane and start-finish straight for IndyCar’s new 250-mile street race.
January’s executive order from President Trump directed federal agencies and the D.C. mayor’s office to build the event as part of the America 250 celebrations, forcing a late addition to an already set IndyCar calendar.
The 7-corner circuit runs around the National Mall, the Capitol and Pennsylvania Avenue, with a narrow Turn 6 chicane and a pit-entry immediately after Turn 1 posing early challenges.
Constitution Avenue NW and 7th Street are serving as the paddock, while Saturday also features two revived IROC races with drivers including Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves.
Organizers expect up to 140,000 spectators on each of the two days; free general-admission tickets vanished within minutes, with the race scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Sunday on Fox.