IndyCar's Freedom 250 Grand Prix takes over Washington D.C. this weekend

Twenty-five IndyCar vehicles will race through the streets of Washington, D.C., this weekend at speeds approaching 180 mph during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, marking the first major auto race in the nation's capital in more than 24 years.

The two-day event culminates in Sunday's main 250-mile race, which will traverse a 1.7-mile route through the National Mall. Cars will complete 147 laps while passing iconic landmarks including the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The race course also winds down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Organizers expect approximately 140,000 spectators on each day of the weekend. The event has been in development for more than a year and is being funded by IndyCar. Bud Denker, president of Penske Corp. and chair of the event, told NPR that organizers are describing this as a one-time-only event. "This is a one-time-only event, because we're celebrating the country's 250th one time," Denker said.

The race commemorates the nation's 250th birthday. President Trump is expected to wave the green flag to start the race.

Preparation for the event has transformed the downtown area over recent weeks. Grandstands and enormous barriers have been constructed, with large portions of the area blocked off to traffic and pedestrians. Access to popular tourist destinations around the Mall will be limited to those holding event tickets.

IndyCar is described as one of the world's leading open-wheel racing series. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix represents an unprecedented motorsports event in the United States, as no previous race in the country has been staged with a backdrop comparable to Washington, D.C.'s historic landmarks and government buildings. While other major racing series have held events at iconic American locations—including Formula One races on the Las Vegas Strip, NASCAR events in Chicago's Grant Park, and an IndyCar race at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium—none have taken place on the streets of the nation's capital amid such significant historical sites.