Trump to wave green flag and take honorary lap in The Beast at Freedom 250 Grand Prix in D.C.

President Donald Trump will formally start the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., by waving the green flag and taking an honorary lap in the presidential limousine known as The Beast. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is scheduled to wave the checkered flag at the finish. The event is an IndyCar street race routed through parts of the capital.

Before the race begins, Trump will ride one lap around the course in The Beast. First lady Melania Trump and other family members are expected to attend. Bud Denker, chairman of the race, said in a video posted to X by Secretary Duffy that the president will wave the green flag to send the cars off, and that Duffy will wave the checkered flag at the finish.

IndyCar street race that will run on a temporary 1.7-mile course laid out on D.C. streets. Race speeds on the course can reach as high as 180 mph. Organizers plan flyovers as part of the event.

Because the race uses federal and local roadways, there are several operational impacts:

• Intermittent road closures are in effect during race setup, including the Arlington Memorial Bridge and areas near the Lincoln Memorial.
• Federal authorities will temporarily pause flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for a three-hour period on race day.

This will not be the first time a U.S. president has taken a ceremonial lap in The Beast. The vehicle previously performed similar ceremonial laps at the Daytona 500 in 2020 and 2025. Using the presidential limousine for short ceremonial laps at public events has precedent, though the context and setting vary by occasion.

Bud Denker framed the race as a national showcase in a short video shared on X by Secretary Duffy, describing the event as one to present "to the world." The video and the involvement of high-profile officials are part of the event's promotional push.

Practical considerations for locals and visitors