President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to take a presidential “lap of honor” around Washington, D.C.’s new IndyCar street circuit before the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix gets underway Sunday.
Trump’s motorcade is expected to travel around the 1.7-mile course during the pre-race festivities, according to the New York Post. The report says Trump will make the ceremonial trip in his armored presidential limousine, commonly known as “The Beast.”
The reported appearance would give Trump a starring role in one of the most ambitious events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
“President Trump is ensuring America gets the spectacular birthday it deserves as we celebrate our 250th anniversary,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement provided to OutKick and Fox News Digital.
Ingle said the race would be among the most historic and recognizable events of its kind, adding that Trump intends to put his own unmistakable stamp on the occasion.
The White House has not released the precise timing or security arrangements for the reported lap. It also does not appear as a separate item on the race’s public schedule, which sets aside an extended pre-race window beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Trump has been personally involved with the Freedom 250 since its creation.
In January, he signed Executive Order 14381, directing the Transportation and Interior departments to help establish a race route through the capital and accelerate the necessary permits and approvals.
The order described IndyCar racing as a “source of pride and entertainment for our Nation” and said the Washington event would showcase the capital’s monuments while commemorating the country’s 250th birthday.
The administration subsequently worked with Washington officials, IndyCar and race organizers to construct a seven-turn circuit around the National Mall. The course features a high-speed stretch along Pennsylvania Avenue and carries drivers past the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol.
Trump previewed the spectacle during a July White House event attended by IndyCar drivers Alex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas.
“This will be like no other race ever,” Trump said, while predicting the event would draw record television ratings. He also emphasized that fans would be able to attend without purchasing tickets.
Trump told those gathered that cars would race down Pennsylvania Avenue at speeds exceeding 190 mph. He called the event a historic first for Washington and a centerpiece of the country’s anniversary celebration. ABC News reported his remarks.
The White House showcase included a live pit-stop demonstration involving Malukas and the crew of Team Penske’s No. 12 Chevrolet. Trump also presented challenge coins to the visiting drivers.
The Freedom 250 will be the first NTT IndyCar Series race held on the National Mall and the streets of Washington. Organizers expect hundreds of thousands of spectators to attend the free two-day festival, according to IndyCar.
Practice and qualifying will take place Saturday. Sunday’s 147-lap race will cover approximately 250 miles, an especially fitting distance for the anniversary celebration.
FOX’s pre-race coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. ET, with the command to start engines scheduled for 1:05 p.m. The green flag is expected shortly after 1:10 p.m., according to the official event schedule.
If the reported lap proceeds as planned, the presidential motorcade will be the first high-profile vehicle to tour the course Sunday—but it will not be the fastest for long.
