Sawt Falasteen - Trump set for starring role at Washington's debut IndyCar race

Trump, who created the Freedom 250 Grand Prix by executive order as part of the United States anniversary commemoration, will have a prime seat to watch the spectacle as open-wheel cars race in the shadow of iconic landmarks at speeds up to 185 mph (298 km/h).

"The president wanted to do this. He's a big fan. We wanted to be part of the 250th anniversary," IndyCar series owner Roger Penske said.

"This is really a by-product of our team trying to take it to the next level. This is an iconic race."

Trump, 80, is expected to take a lap of the course in his armored limousine known as "The Beast" and wave the green flag at the start-finish line in front of the US Capitol building, with military flyovers before the start of the 250-mile event.

"The 100,000 people who will be coming here today, they care about the country," Penske said. "They are excited to see us racing here."

Spain's Alex Palou, a six-time winner this season, can clinch his fourth consecutive IndyCar season title and fifth in six years.

He will start from pole position in the field of 25 drivers racing 147 laps over the 1.7-mile layout, which weaves around such landmarks as the Washington Monument, the National Archives, and Smithsonian museums including the National Gallery of Art.

"It's incredible," Palou said of the event. "For sure surpassed all my expectations."

IndyCar and Penske Racing will pay much of the $35 million cost to stage the race, supported by sponsors to boost attention for a series best known for the Indianapolis 500 oval classic.

"This is an Indy 500 on the street track," said New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin.

Workers welded down manhole covers around the course so they would not be pried loose when cars race over them, while the National Gallery of Art studied how vibrations from the vehicles might impact its exhibits.

- 'It's a spectacle' -

Kyle Kirkwood was overjoyed at racing around the US capital.

"Thrilled to be driving around these amazing streets," Kirkwood said. "It's a big moment as an American to be able to drive around DC. It's an event that America is putting on and something that's very special."

It figures to be a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza.

"I don't know if we'll ever drive IndyCars around the nation's capital again, so the fact we're doing it is a spectacle," US racer Josef Newgarden said.

"We have another spectacle in the Indy 500 and I think this one will rival it."

Penske said IndyCar would consider a US capital return.

"Never say no. We'll talk about it," Penske said. "This is a world-class operation. We'll have to meet next week and figure out where we're going next."

Like much of what happens in Washington, it won't be entirely smooth runnings on the streets. Pavement bumps around the course are expected to challenge drivers.

"The bumps are so big. There's not much you can do. You need to have a car that's all right over bumps, that's not trying to kill you every time," Palou said.

P.Tamimi--SF-PST