President Trump kicks off Washington IndyCar race with ceremonial green flag

President Donald Trump stepped onto a makeshift street circuit in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to wave the green flag that officially started a high‑speed IndyCar race winding through the capital’s streets. The ceremonial lap, performed in front of a crowd of spectators, signaled the culmination of a summer‑long series of events commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The race, part of the IndyCar Series’ expanded schedule, featured a temporary track laid out along several of the city’s iconic avenues. Drivers lined up at the start line before the president’s arrival, and after Trump completed a single lap, he raised the green flag that gave the field the go‑ahead to race at full speed. The moment was captured on live television and streamed to fans across the country.

Organisers described the event as a “historic blend of sport and national celebration,” noting that the IndyCar race adds a modern, high‑octane element to the traditional fireworks, concerts and historical exhibitions planned for the sesquicentennial year. While the race itself is a competitive motorsport fixture, the presidential ceremony highlighted the broader theme of unity and progress that the anniversary events aim to convey.

Officials said the temporary circuit was designed to meet all safety standards required by the IndyCar governing body, and that local authorities coordinated traffic diversions and security measures to accommodate both the race and the presidential appearance. The event also provided an opportunity for Washington’s residents to experience a type of racing usually reserved for dedicated tracks in the Midwest and West Coast.

The green‑flag ceremony concluded with Trump greeting drivers and fans before returning to the White House. The race is scheduled to run for 200 laps, with drivers competing for both points in the championship and a special commemorative trophy tied to the nation’s 250‑year milestone.