Trump Concludes U.S. Independence 250th Anniversary Celebrations with Car Race Across Washington

President Donald Trump concluded the 250th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the United States with a car race, the first of its kind across the streets of Washington, D.C., bringing to an end a summer packed with sports and dazzling displays as drivers sped past the capital’s iconic landmarks.

The "Freedom 250" race, part of the IndyCar series, began at National Mall, passed by the Capitol Building, proceeded down historic Pennsylvania Avenue, and circled the National Archives, with the main event taking place on Sunday afternoon local time.

Officials said the race is expected to draw around 200,000 spectators, noting that tickets were free. However, entry passes to private clubs adjacent to the track were sold for $5,000.

Trump prepares to raise the starting flag

Trump’s motorcade made a ceremonial tour around the race track before the U.S. president raised the green flag from his presidential box to signal the start of the 402-kilometer race.

Although the green flag in IndyCar races is typically waved from the top of a tower at both the start and finish lines, Trump remained in his presidential enclosure on Sunday.

Kyle Kirkwood, driver for Andretti Global, won the thrilling race, with Danish driver Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren finishing second, while Will Power, teammate of Kirkwood at Andretti, completed the podium.

The drivers did not miss the unusual setting of the IndyCar race, with the Capitol Building and Smithsonian museums visible in the background. After his victory, Kirkwood told Fox Sports: "What a great place to host a race."

Earlier, in July, during a visit by drivers to the White House to celebrate the start of track construction, Trump said: "I don’t know if there will ever be anything that surpasses what we’re going to see."

This race is the latest in a series of sporting events that Trump has used to celebrate the nation and his second term, even as his approval ratings have dropped to their lowest levels since his return to the White House in January 2025, amid U.S. involvement in conflict with Iran.

The summer began with a professional mixed martial arts bout in the South Lawn of the White House, followed by the presentation of the World Cup trophy to Spain, the winners of the FIFA World Cup, just a month later.

Earlier this August, Trump appeared on "Patriot Games," a hybrid television game show and high school athletic competition, broadcast on the ASBN sports network.

These events helped bolster Trump’s standing, both domestically and internationally. UFC mixed martial arts bouts were broadcast globally, and during the World Cup trophy handover, Trump stood in the center of the field as the Spanish national team lifted the cup.