Trump arrives at high-speed IndyCar race through Washington's streets

The president took a ceremonial lap of the track before the race, which is the culmination of a summer of events to mark the country's 250th birthday.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have made the short drive to the course of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have made the short drive to the course of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington

"Their beautiful cars are going to make freedom roar. This will be a freedom that's roaring like never before," Trump said at the White House earlier this month as he promoted the event.

IndyCars Whiz Through DC Streets Today In Freedom 250 Grand Prix: What To Know  Forbes

Trump will kick off the IndyCar race in the Beast before cars zoom through Washington's streets  Toronto Star

Trump will kick off the IndyCar race in the Beast before cars zoom through Washington's streets  AP News

President Donald Trump is transforming the streets around the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this weekend into an IndyCar motorsports mecca for the first time.

Alex Palou leads the NTT IndyCar Series standings by 133 points heading into the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the Washington D.C. street circuit.

Here's a look at the 7-turn, 1.7-mile circuit winding through the National Mall that will test IndyCar's drivers in a marathon race.

Aug 20 : IndyCar will race through the heart of the U.S. capital this weekend, bringing open-wheel cars to a temporary circuit around the National Mall in a first-of-its-kind event tied to America's 250th anniversary celebrations.The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be contested over 147 laps covering 250 miles on a 1.7-mil