**Washington (United States) (AFP)** – US President Donald Trump rode a ceremonial lap in his armored limousine and waved the green flag to start Sunday’s IndyCar race through the streets of Washington, capping celebrations of America’s 250th birthday. Trump, who created the Freedom 250 Grand Prix by executive order for the United States anniversary commemoration, had a prime view of the 250-mile (400km) spectacle as open-wheel cars roared past iconic landmarks at speeds up to 185 mph (298 km/h). “It has turned out to be bigger than we ever thought possible,” Trump told race telecaster Fox. “The track is wonderful.”
American Kyle Kirkwood won his seventh career IndyCar race after two hours 40mins, 42.9548secs, beating Denmark’s Christian Lundgaard by 3.09 seconds with Australian Will Power third. “You can’t even put it into words. This is incredible,” Kirkwood said. “I’m almost in tears. This is a big moment for us. A big moment for America.”
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Trump greeted IndyCar series owner Roger Penske, 89, and the seven Indianapolis 500 winners in the field of 25 before the 147-lap event began, telling the racers, “Good luck, do well, have fun.” “Roger told me they had been trying to do it for 20 years and when Trump came along they got it done,” the 80-year-old president said. Power was stunned to meet Trump, saying, “Shaking President Trump’s hand, it was pretty crazy. For me from a small town in Australia to be talking to an American President is surreal…then getting behind the wheel and racing.”
**- ‘Big fan’ -** Trump and First Lady Melania Trump slowly took a pre-race lap around the 1.7-mile layout inside his armored limousine known as “The Beast,” weaving around such landmarks such as the Washington Monument, US Capitol, and museums. “The president wanted to do this. He’s a big fan. We wanted to be part of the 250th anniversary,” Penske said. “This is an iconic race.” IndyCar and Penske Racing paid most of the $35 million cost to stage the race, with Penske president and Freedom 250 chairman Bud Denker saying 215,000 people attended two days of events.
Pre-race flyovers included ones by a stealth bomber and Air Force One, with air traffic paused at nearby Reagan National Airport for the race. Trump waved the green flag at the start-finish line in front of the US Capitol to start the race. Trump has taken major roles in other events to celebrate the anniversary of the July 4, 1776, signing of the Declaration of Independence — a document housed inside the race course at the National Archives. Trump helmed an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout in a cage on the White House lawn in June. Trump’s vision for Washington also includes construction projects like the White House ballroom and a proposed triumphal arch.
Kirkwood escaped a tense moment on a late restart when New Zealand’s Scott McLaughlin crashed trying to pass him, then led to the finish. “It was something very special. I will cherish this moment for a very long time,” Kirkwood said. “I don’t know if we’re ever going to have another chance, I hope we do, but this was awesome. A dream come true.” Added Power: “When I pulled in at the end, you see President Trump still watching, so the race must have been engaging. That’s great to see.”
**- ‘A surreal day’ -** Mario Andretti, the 86-year-old US racing legend whose 1969 Indy 500-winning car is in the Smithsonian museum, was impressed. “Fabulous to be here. This event is really amazing,” Andretti said. IndyCar will consider returning, with Penske saying, “We’ll talk about it. We’ll have to meet next week.” Denker called it “a surreal day” sitting with Trump, saying the president wants the race to return for five more years and his wife has 2027 expectations.
“Melania on the way out said, ‘We look forward to seeing you next year,'” Denker said. “The pressure is on. The First Lady is involved.” Denker noted walls from the course will be stored nearby, and the “investment is already made in the walls and some infrastructure.” “The decision would be up to us. I’d be concerned about raising the same kind of revenue we did this year.”
© 2024 AFP
