Automotive
Kyle Kirkwood wins IndyCar's Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.
Kirkwood led 128 laps on the D.C. street circuit, which IndyCar indicated will not return despite interest from officials.
The short version
- Kyle Kirkwood won the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street race in Washington, D.C., leading 128 of 147 laps.
- Penske Entertainment spent $35 million to stage the event, and 100,000 general admission tickets were distributed for free at President Trump's direction.
- IndyCar stated during the broadcast that the event will not happen again, despite local officials and the Trump administration expressing desire for an annual race.
Key facts
- Kyle Kirkwood won the 147-lap Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., with Christian Lundgaard finishing second and Will Power finishing third.[Jalopnik]
- Kirkwood led 128 laps over the course of the 2-hour, 40-minute street race.[Jalopnik]
- Penske Entertainment funded the $35 million event, which relied on corporate sponsors and hospitality suites to recoup costs after all 100,000 general admission tickets were given away free by executive order.[Jalopnik]
- Pre-race proceedings featured an Air Force One flyover and a parade lap by the presidential limousine.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the event will ever be held again remains disputed, as IndyCar stated on air that it will not return while local officials and the Trump administration voiced support for an annual race.[Jalopnik]