Start your engines: Freedom 250 Grand Prix updates and closures through the weekend

The useful part

Many roads are closed or blocked off to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians as security preparations continue. Access to some museums is limited, and flights will briefly stop at Reagan National Airport on Sunday. Later today, NASCAR and IndyCar drivers will race down Pennsylvania Avenue and past iconic American landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building as part of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

How it works

• Her husband said he's been watching races for his entire life.
• It's the first IndyCar race to take place in Washington, D.C., and the two-day event will see those drivers reach speeds over 150 mph as they take 147 laps through the 1.7 mile course.
• There will also be celebratory flyovers during the race that anyone — even if you didn't snag a ticket — will be able to see.
• on Saturday, the sun briefly appeared on what is likely to be an overcast and rainy day overall.
• Revving engines, excited announcers and cheering fans made for a loud, but exciting, start to the day.

What to take from it

"We're actually IndyCar fans, and we go to other races around the country, so we were excited that they were coming here to Washington, D.C.," one woman told News4.

Details worth keeping

What to Know The Freedom 250 Grand Prix takes place Saturday, Aug. Find a full list of road closures and parking restrictions below. Capitol and along the National Mall Saturday, Aug.