The Freedom 250 Continues The History Of DC Races Celebrating America’s Birthday

The Freedom 250 isn’t the first race hosted in Washington, D.C. by the U.S. president in celebration of America’s birthday. 

On July 4th, 1801, 225 years ago, to celebrate America’s 25th birthday, President Thomas Jefferson helped put on festivities including horseback riding and cockfighting in Washington, D.C., according to the White House Historical Association. 

Jefferson, the third President of the United States, and the Washington Jockey Club “established a racecourse just blocks from the White House, with part of the course running across Pennsylvania Avenue and through what is now Lafayette Park.”

The United States Capitol is seen along the Freedom 250 Grand Prix track outside of the National Gallery of Art on Thursday. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

According to the White House Historical Association, “the north grounds of the President’s Park came alive at daybreak with the raising of tents and booths, soon followed by crowds of people. A festival took place just for the day. Food and drink and cottage goods of all types were sold. There were horse races and parades of the Washington Militia, along with other military companies. 

After the festivities, Jefferson invited attendees into the White House. The tradition of an annual reception at the White House continued for much of the nineteenth century.

Not only did Jefferson host a horse race near the White House, but he was an avid supporter and participant in horse racing. He often attended meets at the National Race Course in Washington, D.C.

Now Donald J. Trump, the 47th president of the U.S., is helping to bring a 250-mile, 147-lap race to Washington, D.C. to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. 

“I’m thrilled to be here with some of the most extraordinary figures in the history of motorsports and any sport, if you think about it,” Trump said at a Freedom 250 Grand Prix Showcase on July 13. “As we count down to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, this will be like no other race, ever. I don’t think anything will ever be — will ever top what we’re going to be having.”

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is the first NTT IndyCar Series race ever held in the nation’s capital. The FOX pre-race show will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23, with the green flag scheduled for 1:13 p.m. ET. The course does not reach the White House, but it runs along Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue and in front of the Washington Monument. 

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is the second event hosted in proximity to the White House this summer, along with UFC Freedom 250. 

With this being the initial IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., no drivers have course experience as an upper hand. But Alex Palou (542 points) enters Sunday’s race with a healthy lead in the standings, despite finishing fourth at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham last Sunday. 

The battle for second place is much closer, with Kyle Kirkwood (409), David Malukas (405) and Christian Lundgaard (403) separated by six points. So while the Freedom 250 will be a spectacle to watch, IndyCar’s top drivers can’t lose focus as the stakes are high.

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