President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the festivities for the inaugural IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. The president took an honorary lap around the street circuit in the presidential motorcade, known as the Beast, before waving the green flag to officially start the race.
The event, held as part of the nation's 250th-anniversary celebrations, featured IndyCar drivers racing through the streets of the capital for the first time. The 1.7-mile track passed landmarks near the U.S. Capitol and along the National Mall.
Trump spoke briefly with reporters before the race, stating his primary hopes for the event. "Just that everyone’s safe and they have a good time," he said. "I want everyone to be safe. I want everyone to have a good time."
The race saw Álex Palou start from the pole position, leading the IndyCar series standings with six wins during the 2026 season. Palou had previously visited the White House earlier in the year, an experience he described as "incredible" and one where he had the opportunity to see the Oval Office. He recalled being sprayed with presidential cologne during that visit.
"Honestly, that’s the only word that comes to mind," Palou said of his White House visit. "I remember the visit we did a month ago when I got invited to the White House. I was like, ‘Really? For real?’ I was going to be able to go inside and just see how the Oval Office is, and just knowing the history that it has."
He added, "I know I’m not from this country, but this country has given me so much. Just the opportunity to be here as an IndyCar driver, a winner, a champion, and to create a family and build a family here in the U.S. It’s been incredible."
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend also included events from the International Race of Champions (IROC) series. Final preparations for the street race were underway by Aug. 20, 2026.
