Trump highlights upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington

President Donald Trump on Monday ended the debate over whether racecar drivers are athletes as his administration showcased the power of IndyCar vehicles ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., next month.

Trump participated in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix showcase at the White House along with IndyCar star Álex Palou, racing team owner Roger Penske and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

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President Donald Trump reacts after receiving a helmet on West Executive Drive at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP (Alex Brandon/AP)

“Next month these exceptional sportsman drivers, athletes, they’re great athletes,” Trump said. “Nothing nobody can do. They’re born with something special. They’re born with the ability to press that pedal all the way down to the ground. Most people can’t do that. Very few people can.

“They’re beautiful cars. They’re going to make freedom roar. This is going to be a freedom that’s roaring like never before.”

The showcase also featured a live pit stop.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. takes place Aug. 22 and 23. The track layout features a 1.66-mile drive and seven turns.

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Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, gives President Donald Trump a helmet on West Executive Drive at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Trump’s declaration comes amid a hotly contested debate in the racing world over whether professional racecar driver are actually athletes.

ESPN star Stephen A. Smith waded into the territory in April when a caller on his radio show suggested that Richard Petty was one of the greatest athletes of all time. He said driving a car doesn’t “count” as being an athlete.

NASCAR greats Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson pushed back on Smith’s insinuations in an interview with Fox News Digital in May before the Indy 500.

President Donald Trump speaks with Alex Palou, Bud Denker, David Malukas and Roger Penske on West Executive Drive at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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Larson, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, challenged Smith, or anyone for that matter, to go one lap in a race car “without feeling like they’re going to die.”

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.