Freedom 250 draws 140,000 a day for IndyCar’s DC return
What’s new: The race marked the first major auto event in Washington in more than 24 years during the US 250th anniversary celebration.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix brought IndyCar racing back to Washington, drawing an expected 140,000 spectators on each day of the weekend in the nation’s capital. The street race, tied to the belated celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, featured cars reaching about 180 mph on a course set against landmarks in downtown Washington. It was the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years. Coverage from the event also showed President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump taking a ceremonial lap in The Beast before the race weekend’s main action.