Donald Trump announces plans for Indycar race through Washington DC streets | Indycar
The streets of Washington DC will host an Indycar race this summer as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday, Donald Trump announced Friday, looking forward to seeing vehicles pass in front of the White House at speeds approaching 320 km/h.
Trump signed an executive order establishing the race on Aug. 23 alongside Roger Penske, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indycar and teams from several racing series, including Nascar.
“It’s going to be so exciting,” Trump said. “I love racing. I don’t have a lot of time to watch it, but I love racing.”
Penske suggested there was “no better way for us to introduce automobiles and speed to the D.C. area, and to have the opportunity to compete here with our Indycars.”
A press release from Indycar said the route would include the National Mall, and the executive order gives the Departments of Transportation and Interior two weeks to designate a route through Washington “that is suitable for Indycar street racing and that will showcase the majesty of our capital in celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.”
The order also directs the city and other officials to work closely with race organizers.
The event is a continuation of Trump’s commitment to sports during his second term. Most of his domestic travel has been built around attending major games and events, including the recent NCAA Football National Championship in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The president was also personally involved in promoting a UFC fight to help mark America’s 250th birthday, which he said is set for June 14 on the White House grounds — a date that happens to be his 80th birthday.
But Trump has no plans to attend the upcoming Super Bowl on Feb. 8 between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., suggesting it’s too far to travel.
In the case of Indycar, the race will come down to him.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also attended Friday’s signing ceremony in the Oval Office, exclaimed: “Thinking about 300 kilometers an hour on Pennsylvania Avenue. That’s going to be crazy.”
Trump said he urged organizers to choose the best race route through the streets of Washington, even if it was more logistically complicated.
“I said: choose the best site. It’s very important,” the president said. “Even if it’s harder to get approval, choose the best site.”
Organizers said they had long lobbied members of Congress to allow a road race in Washington, but without success. Duffy asked when the last road race was held in the capital and was told it was in 1801 and involved horses during the administration of Thomas Jefferson – prompting Trump to respond: “That’s something.” »
“Now we’re going to have a real race,” said Duffy, who said the event would be free to the public, declaring: “Freedom, America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn’t get more American than that.”
