By Rich Schott
Some experiences are fun, some are exciting, and then there are those rare experiences that you know you'll remember for the rest of your life. For Jen and I, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., was one of those experiences.
The anticipation leading up to the weekend made it even more exciting. Tickets for the event weren't available through normal purchase and had to be acquired through an online lottery. Jen and I entered the lottery and, incredibly, we won eight tickets for each day. Suddenly, we had the opportunity to be part of something that had never happened before—the first-ever auto race held on the streets of Washington, D.C. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a historic NTT INDYCAR SERIES event in the nation's capital.
The weather forecast called for a rainy Saturday and a mild Sunday, but fortunately, both days turned out to have great weather. The event transformed the streets of Washington into a 1.7-mile, seven-turn street circuit. Just days earlier, these same streets had been filled with rush-hour traffic. Now, they were a racetrack. The course featured a frontstretch along Pennsylvania Avenue, with the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument providing an incredible backdrop. Turn 1 was especially impressive, with the Capitol building standing behind the racing action.
The race itself was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The 250-mile event was the longest street-circuit race in IndyCar history, with the drivers completing 147 laps. The cars could reach speeds approaching 200 mph on a 0.4-mile stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue, where the normal traffic speed limit is only 25 mph. Seeing these cars fly down the avenue and then attack tight 90-degree street corners was incredible. This was my first time seeing IndyCars race in person, and being that close to the action was completely different from watching them on television.
On Saturday, Jen and I were joined by our friends John and Maria for the pre-race activities and practice runs. We watched IndyCars as well as NASCAR-style cars. One of the special highlights was the appearance of IROC, presented by Chevrolet, featuring motorsports legends such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves racing vintage Pontiac Firebirds. Seeing those classic cars racing through the streets of Washington was an unexpected and memorable part of the day.
Saturday was a long day, but it was packed with excitement. More than 100,000 people filled the event area, creating an incredible atmosphere. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. and spent most of the day taking everything in. At one point, we decided to escape the crowds for a while and found a pub just outside Gate 2. We grabbed some lunch and a few beers, relaxed for a bit and talked about everything we had seen. Around 7:00 p.m., after nearly nine hours at the event, we finally headed home.
Sunday was the main event, and Jen and I were joined by Doug, Mirga, Earl, Kelly and Lisa. We arrived at about the same time as Saturday, around 10:30 a.m., but the crowds were noticeably larger. If Saturday felt packed, Sunday seemed like there were twice as many people. The fencing along the track was packed in every direction, with fans trying to find the best possible view of the race.
We found a great place to watch from Turn 2, which gave us an excellent view of the cars as they approached the tight corner. Watching the IndyCars up close as they flew down the straightaways and then braked hard for the 90-degree turns was an incredible experience. The speed, sound and excitement of the cars racing just feet away made it easy to understand why people become so passionate about IndyCar racing.
Before the Freedom 250 Grand Prix began, President Trump and his family traveled around the track in their motorcade. We were able to see the motorcade from fairly close up, which was pretty cool, and we captured some of the moment on video. The day also included several impressive military flyovers featuring aircraft representing every branch of the U.S. military. Standing in the nation's capital, surrounded by thousands of race fans, while military aircraft flew overhead was another unforgettable part of the weekend. Be sure to check out the videos because they really help capture what it was like to be there.
When the race finally got underway, the excitement went up another level. The drivers completed 147 laps to cover the full 250-mile distance. From our spot at Turn 2, we could see the cars approaching at incredible speed, attacking the corner and then accelerating away. It was amazing to watch IndyCars race through actual Washington streets with the Capitol, the Washington Monument and other landmarks surrounding the track. The race was broadcast live nationally on FOX, but being there in person gave us an entirely different perspective.
When the checkered flag finally fell, Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global took first place, followed by Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren in second and Will Power of Andretti Global in third. The winner's trophy was almost as unique as the event itself. It featured a solid clear crystal pyramid mathematically proportioned to match the exact 72.6-degree slope of the Washington Monument. An internal mirror finish was designed to illuminate the Capitol dome from within, making the trophy a fitting symbol of the race's unique Washington setting.
Looking back on the weekend, I realize that the race itself was only part of what made the experience so special. I remember the anticipation of entering the lottery and the excitement when we found out we had won eight tickets for each day. I remember walking through streets that normally carry everyday Washington traffic and seeing them transformed into a racetrack. I remember the incredible sound of the IndyCars, the vintage Firebirds, the military flyovers and the presidential motorcade.
Most of all, I remember sharing the experience with friends. There was plenty of walking, plenty of people, plenty of racing and a few beers along the way. We were fortunate to have great weather both days and the opportunity to experience something that will never happen again in our lifetime. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was more than just a race. It was a historic event in a historic location, surrounded by some of America's most recognizable landmarks. It was an honor to be part of such a special event in the nation's capital celebrating 250 years of freedom.
Stealth Bomber Flyover
Freedom 250 Racing Action
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