President Donald Trump will do an honorary lap at the Freedom250 Grand Prix on Sunday before the world’s fastest cars zoom around Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Trump will travel the 1.7-mile, seven-turn course around the nation’s capital before drivers take to the track, a White House official confirmed to the Washington Examiner. The presidential limousine, known as “The Beast,” will make its way along the same route IndyCar drivers are expected to navigate at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.
The ceremonial lap will add Trump to the festivities surrounding one of the most prominent events marking the nation’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. “The historic IndyCar race set to take place in our Nation’s Capital will be one of the greatest and most iconic races in history. The President will leave his imprint on this historic race in a way that only he can.”
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are also expected to watch the race from the stands. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. with military flyovers before the green flag shortly after 1 p.m.
The temporary circuit begins and ends near the U.S. Capitol and runs along Pennsylvania Avenue before curving around the National Archives and crossing the National Mall. Drivers will also pass the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian. The 147-lap race will cover roughly 250 miles.
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Federal agencies, IndyCar, Penske Entertainment, and the district government have partnered to stage the race. The event has drawn significant interest, with organizers receiving hundreds of thousands of ticket requests for about 100,000 free tickets. General admission tickets are no longer available.
Trump’s ride on Sunday will not be the first time his armored car has appeared on a racetrack. The Beast took a ceremonial lap at the Daytona 500 during Trump’s first term and again last year.