IndyCars zip among iconic Washington landmarks ahead of Freedom 250

Cars darted through Washington's historic landmarks on Saturday as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix kicked off with practice and qualifying for Sunday's inaugural street race. Drivers tested their open-wheel vehicles, reaching speeds up to 185 mph (298 kph) on a seven-turn, 2.7km course surrounding the Washington Monument, US Capitol, National Gallery of Art, and Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.

American Kyle Kirkwood, second in practice with a lap at 56.691 seconds, marveled at the historical backdrop: "The history, going around the museums, the monument, the Capitol building -- everything about this is something you dream about."

Spain's Alex Palou, season points leader and six-time winner this year, took pole position with a qualifying lap of 56.899 seconds. He praised the location, calling it "spectacular" and noting the iconic buildings surrounding the course. The race, Trump's gift for the 250th anniversary of the US, was expected to draw up to 100,000 spectators, including the president. Thirty laps over 402km would create one of IndyCar's longest street races, following two 310-mile events in Cleveland from 1982 and 1983.

Race organizers anticipated bumps and curves, with several cars clipping the padded outer wall during practice. France's Romain Grosjean and Mexico's Pato O’ Ward both warned that precise handling would be crucial to navigate the uneven pavement. Palou, aiming for a fourth consecutive IndyCar title, vowed to tackle the challenges head-on, calling the bumps "massive" and emphasizing the need for a car capable of enduring and performing well over them.