President Donald Trump’s historic IndyCar race is set to roar through the streets of Washington, D.C., Sunday.
The president and First Lady will drive the 1.7-mile course in their motorcade, which loops around Pennsylvania Avenue, the National Archives, the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument — before the race begins at 1 p.m. Eastern.
The first-of-its-kind event is part of the official celebrations to mark America's 250th Anniversary.
Trump will get the race underway by waving the green flag at 1:10 p.m.
Last month, Trump said the race would be an “unprecedented event” and an “awesome display of American patriotism and raw horsepower ingenuity.”
Some 25 drivers, including series champion Alex Palou and Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist, are expected to take part in the 147-lap circuit — which has a total race distance of about 250 miles, reaching speeds of 180mph.
MAGA world was out in force to celebrate, with Transportation Secretary Duffy and House Speaker Mike Johnson already spotted near the grid, alongside thousands of members of the public.
The race caps off America’s 250 celebrations marking the nation’s semiquincentennial. Celebrations began earlier this summer with a UFC cage match at the White House and also included the Great American State Fair.
Where to watch America 250 Grand Prix?
There are several ways Americans can tune in to watch the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Fox News will begin coverage of the event at 11:30 a.m. ET, though the event won’t officially begin until 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
For people without cable, all of the races will also be streamed on FOX ONE.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix in pictures:
When does the Freedom 250 Grand Prix begin?
The IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix begins Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
However, coverage of the event is expected to begin around 11:30 a.m. ET.
Attorney General Todd Blanche lauds drop in crime ahead of IndyCar Grand Prix event
Attorney General Todd Blanche lauded the Trump administration’s efforts to decrease crime in Washington, D.C., ahead of the IndyCar Grand Prix race Sunday afternoon.
“What you’re seeing today — a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. You saw it July 4. You’ve seen it with the Great Fair on the Mall, and it’s going off without any major security incidents, and we’re going to make sure that that stays the case, and that’s the goal,” Blance said Sunday morning in an interview with Fox News.
Blanche, who was recently confirmed by Congress, also mentioned President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to the streets of D.C. last summer, saying, “We are seeing enormous improvements in every single category of crime.”
Where will the race take place?
The course layout for the Freedom 250 IndyCar runs through the heart of Washington, D.C., and will take drivers past several historic institutions.
The longest straight on the course will run up Pennsylvania Avenue, then take drivers past the National Gallery of Art, which has added reinforcements to protect its work from the vibrations caused by the race.
Drivers will also pass the Canadian Embassy, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Archives, the National Mall as well as the National Air and Space Museum.
During the race, drivers will loop around the course 147 times, totaling in about 250 miles.
Watch: IndyCar takes to DC streets for Freedom 250 Grand Prix, thrilling fans
DC airport will pause flights today
The Federal Aviation Administration is pausing flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for several hours today as the nation’s capital celebrates the Freedom 250 Grand Prix with flyovers and other events.
Between at least 10:15 a.m. ET and 1:15 p.m. ET, flights will be paused. That is subject to change.
The FAA is asking travelers to check their flight status with their airlines.
‘It’s stuff that you dream of’: IndyCar drivers hail historic DC race
Even for experienced IndyCar drivers, competing on a circuit set against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol proves remarkable.
"We get to race at a lot of cool cities, but this one is by far the best that we've ever had, and I can say that very truthfully," Kyle Kirkwood noted on Friday. "Going by the Capitol building, the views here, all the architecture of all the buildings around here, all the museums, it's stuff that you dream of.
"It's a serious honor and privilege,” Kirkwood said.
“As a boy from the Netherlands that just got his green card, it is really cool,” said Rinus VeeKay, who has six top-10 finishes this season. “We didn't get too much U.S. history in school ... but learning so much about it here, seeing all the monuments and museums and just how every building kind of has a special purpose here around the city, is very cool. Getting to see the White House, this is stuff you see in movies.”