President Donald Trump asserted on Monday that racecar drivers are athletes during a White House showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. The event featured IndyCar star Álex Palou, racing team owner Roger Penske, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
"Next month these exceptional sportsman drivers, athletes, they’re great athletes," Trump stated. "Nothing nobody can do. They’re born with something special. They’re born with the ability to press that pedal all the way down to the ground. Most people can’t do that. Very few people can."
The showcase included a live pit stop and highlighted the power of IndyCar vehicles ahead of the race scheduled for August 22 and 23 in Washington. The track for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix is designed with a 1.66-mile course and seven turns.
Trump's remarks come as a debate continues within the racing community regarding whether professional racecar drivers qualify as athletes. This discussion has been highlighted by figures like ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who has suggested that driving a race car does not constitute being an athlete. NASCAR champions such as Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson have publicly pushed back against these notions. Larson previously challenged Smith or anyone else to complete a lap in a race car, suggesting the experience would be life-threatening.
"They’re beautiful cars. They’re going to make freedom roar. This is going to be a freedom that’s roaring like never before," Trump added at the event.
