The National Mall became a race track on Saturday as IndyCar drivers thundered through Washington, DC, launching the Freedom 250 Grand Prix with practice and qualifying ahead of today’s historic main event.
Open-wheel cars reached speeds of up to 298km/h on the seven-turn, 2.7km circuit, navigating a bumpy street layout that threads past the Washington Monument, US Capitol, National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum.
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“This is surreal for all of us drivers,” said American Kyle Kirkwood, who was second-fastest in practice with a lap of 56.691 seconds.
“The history, going around the museums, the monument, the Capitol building – everything about this is something you dream about.
Spain’s Alex Palou, the championship leader with six victories this season, secured his seventh pole position of the campaign after posting a qualifying time of 56.899 seconds. He had been fastest in practice with a lap of 56.614.
“Such a privilege to be racing here. Spectacular place,” said Palou, who visited the White House earlier this week. “To see the buildings we have around, the Capitol when you exit turn seven, it’s just incredible.”
Organisers expect up to 100,000 people to attend the race
Yet the timesheets were almost secondary to the setting, with President Donald Trump having created the event by executive order as part of celebrations marking the 250th birthday of the United States.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Bud Denker, chairman of Freedom 250 and president of IndyCar owner Penske Corporation.
“The president and Cabinet members, they really made it happen,” Mr Denker said, pointing to a seven-month effort that would normally require two years.
Organisers expect up to 100,000 people to attend the race, with Mr Trump also due to be present.
A field of 25 drivers will complete 147 laps covering 402km, making it the second-longest street-course race in IndyCar history. Only the 498km events held in Cleveland in 1982 and 1983 were longer.
“I can’t think of a cooler setting when you’re looking at the Capitol in the background,” said Zak Brown, chief executive officer of McLaren Racing. “I’m already hoping there’s a year two.”
The circuit’s character quickly became clear. Cars encountered pavement bumps on Pennsylvania Avenue just after the first turn, beyond the start-finish line at the US Capitol, as well as further rough patches before turns two and six. Several drivers struck the padded concrete wall on the outside of those corners.
The course takes in many iconic Washington landmarks
“It’s good to be racing here,” France’s Romain Grosjean said. “There’s definitely a few more bumps, a bit less corners, but generally there are some really good flowing sections.”
Mexico’s Pato O’Ward said drivers would need exacting control to keep the cars settled across the uneven surface.
“There are certain ones that are right where maybe the car doesn’t love it all the time. That’s a little bit of probably what we’re going to be working around,” O’Ward said.
“You need to be quite aware of where to place the car. It’s about getting all the small details right. I expect it to be a tough race.”
Palou said he planned to approach the race with the same determination he normally brings to the Indianapolis 500 as he pursues a fourth straight IndyCar championship and his fifth title in six seasons.
“The race is going to be tough – 250 miles, a long day. It’s going to be rough,” Palou said.
“Huge bumps heading into turn two and turn six, massive bumps that are going to spice things up.
“The bumps are so big, there’s not much you can do. You need to have a car that’s alright over bumps, that’s not trying to kill you every time.
“Once it’s manageable, you just need to go over them and try and make the car as fast as possible.”
