The streets of Washington DC are preparing to welcome IndyCar this summer. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to organize a street race in the nation's capital as part of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of independence, which is commemorated on July 4. The event, which would be called the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, is scheduled for August 23. The executive order instructs various federal agencies to coordinate the design of a street circuit near the National Mall and other iconic Washington landmarks. The intention is for the race to blend into the city's historic landscape and serve as one of the central events of the national anniversary. From the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the potential magnitude of the event, both in terms of attendance and media impact. “This is going to draw a huge crowd, I won’t even say how many, because I think it could set a record for racing. It’s going to be very, very important. We celebrate the greatness of American motorsports,” the president stated. The initiative comes just days after Trump shared an AI-generated video on his social media account, Truth Social, simulating an IndyCar race around the Capitol, a post that foreshadowed the symbolic and patriotic tone he seeks to imbue the project with. A street circuit with symbolic value. The announcement was made alongside Roger Penske, owner of IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and teams in various motorsports categories, including NASCAR. Penske endorsed the idea of ??bringing the series to the capital and highlighted the significance of doing so in a venue unusual for this type of competition. “This will be a truly memorable event that celebrates our country’s independence and the legacy of patriotism, innovation, and excellence that drives motorsports across the United States,” Penske said in a statement released Friday. In another statement, he added, “There was no better way for us to bring the automotive industry and speed to the DC area.”and to have the opportunity to compete here with our IndyCars.”

The executive order states that the Departments of Transportation and the Interior will have two weeks to designate a route suitable for an IndyCar street race that, at the same time, “showcases the majesty of our capital city” in the context of the 250th anniversary of independence. The official statement from the series indicated that the route would include the National Mall.

Trump also expressed his personal enthusiasm for motorsports. “It’s going to be very exciting. I love racing. I don’t have a lot of time to watch it, but I love it,” he said, imagining open-wheel cars racing near the White House at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.