‘I can’t wait.’ Ganassi, team ready to embrace spectacle in DC

INDIANAPOLIS — The celebration of America’s 250th birthday continues this weekend with an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race that will showcase the fastest racing on earth as its cars whizz around some of the most iconic monuments in the United States. 

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., gives the IndyCar Series a unique opportunity to showcase its racing in front of President Donald J. Trump and a new audience of fans – the expected 150,000 spectators in attendance gained entrance through a free ticketing lottery and will be seated in grandstands called the “Stars” and “Stripes” sections on the National Mall -- under an enormous spotlight.

There is an overwhelming level of anticipation for the event, which will be held on a 1.7-mile, seven-turn course that cruises past several major federal buildings, museums, and historic national landmarks. Among the historic markers on the circuit that includes Pennsylvania Ave. are The Capitol, the Washington Monument, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives Research Center.

“When you think about it, having INDYCAR help celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the heart of Washington, D.C., is pretty special. Seeing our cars race past the Capitol, near the Washington Monument, and around the National Mall is going to create images and memories that people will be talking about for a long time,” said Doug Boles, president of the series. “And for INDYCAR, this is a really big moment. The interest from media around the world has been incredible. 

“The event has helped us build new relationships introduced new partners to our sport and put INDYCAR in front of people who may not have experienced INDYCAR before. I think it says a lot about the momentum we have and where IndyCar is headed. This is just a really exciting time to be part of INDYCAR racing and one more springboard moment to help us continue the upward trajectory of INDYCAR.”

The Freedom 250 is the type of event that the series needs as it grows under the stewardship of Penske Entertainment and FOX Sports, which owns one-third of INDYCAR and made it the only U.S.-based motorsports series to air its entire schedule on network television.

INDYCAR team owner Chip Ganassi, winner of an open-wheel record 17 championships, views the Freedom 250 as a tentpole event that will help growth in television ratings, fan engagement and overall interest.

“With the backdrop of the Capitol, the aura of Washington, D.C., having a sporting event in the district there, something that's never been done, having the backing of the President and the Secretary of Transportation, I think it's going to be a great event,” Ganassi said. “I can't wait. It's exciting. It's a new event. Great backdrop. I think every race series would love to have that as a venue. They've been working tirelessly.”

The event, which the Penske group spent $35 million to stage, will be one of the most complex INDYCAR events in history. As the promoter, series owner Roger Penske and his group had to coordinate with the federal government, the city itself, the Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation and the White House on permitting, licensing, meeting codes, developing a course and road paving to ensure a proper and safe event.

The event is expected to have more than 70 climate-controlled luxury suites that will boast premium viewing, as well as exclusive access and amenities. Spectators are expected to be treated to President Trump’s motorcade doing an honorary lap around the course before the green flag.

Sponsors have been clamoring for spots at the race and CGR will have OpenAI at the track filming with Box-to-Box films, the team behind Drive to Survive, for the next installment of the company’s documentary shorts series following the No. 10 team’s preparation and execution on race weekends.

“We have more calls from partners about this race, and more interest shown, that it is right up there with the Indianapolis 500,” Ganassi said.

The build-up began months ago as INDYCAR and many drivers have made multiple publicity stops in the city over the past few months. CGR driver Alex Palou, who can mathematically clinch his fifth series title Sunday, was one of the drivers who spent time with Trump in the Oval Office to promote the race.

For the Spaniard, it was like a dream.

“It was super cool to me personally, getting invited to the White House is like a once in a lifetime  experience and I felt like I was in a movie,” Palou said. “I think it is going to be huge for INDYCAR, for the fans, for the drivers. I don’t know if it will be a one-off, but if it is, hopefully we can win the race and be the first and only INDYCAR winners in Washington, D.C.”

CGR driver Kyffin Simpson has been invited to tour the West Wing, while Scott Dixon has been invited to an event with the First Lady in the Rose Garden.

Simpson was already excited for the event but it increased after he drove the track on the simulator, which showed him the race should be very competitive.

“It was very fast, there were a lot of heavy brake zones, which I think is going to be really good, really fast racing,” Simpson said. “You could have quite a few good passing opportunities around the track, which could make for an exciting race.”

The action begins Saturday morning at 9:05 a.m. with INDYCAR’s first practice aired on FS1. Qualifying is scheduled for 5 p.m. on FS2.

Sunday opens with a 9 a.m. warmup and race coverage will begin at 11 a.m. on FOX with a 1:13 p.m. green flag.