Trump-backed IndyCar street race in Washington D.C. hits 185 mph on Pennsylvania Avenue

Topline

High-powered IndyCars will take to the streets around the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, racing in a 250-mile circuit that marks the latest Trump-backed sporting event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

Key Facts

• The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will wrap around a small portion of the National Mall in a 1.7-mile circuit near the Capitol that includes seven turns and 147 laps—adding up to a 250-mile race.
• Nearly a half mile of Pennsylvania Avenue will be driven during the race, marking the circuit's longest straightaway in which cars will have a pit lane to their left and are expected to reach speeds around 185 mph (the speed limit for regular traffic there is 25 mph).
• The race is free but attendance requires a general admission ticket, which is no longer available following the closing of a ticket request window on June 7.
• The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is the longest street race since the mid-1980s, Fox Sports reported, noting the event could take close to three hours as opposed to the typical two-hour runtime of IndyCar races.
• Sunday's race is a crucial one for the NTT IndyCar Series, which has just four races left in its season as just 24 points separate the No. 2 and No. 5 drivers.

Big Number

More than 200. That is how many manhole covers were welded shut for the race, PBS reported. The covers are shut for street races because the supercars create aerodynamic suction capable of lifting and dislodging manhole covers.

Surprising Fact

The National Gallery of Art, which is located on Constitution Avenue and nearby Pennsylvania Avenue, boarded up some of its outdoor sculptures after conducting a vibration study for the race, according to NPR. Preservationists have voiced concerns that vibrations created by the cars could damage artworks by cracking canvases or loosening mounts.

What To Watch For

There is a small chance Alex Palou, who is leading the NTT IndyCar Series by a whopping 133 points, could clinch his fourth consecutive championship. However, it is more likely he will secure the championship by the end of the month at the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin.

Key Background

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was established by an executive order President Donald Trump signed early this year. The order directed the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Interior to draft up a race route through the National Mall. The event is one of several held in D.C. this year to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. In June, the UFC held its Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House. The historic event produced a wild set of results, with every single fight on the main card resulting in a knockout or technical knockout—an extremely rare occurrence.