President Trump directed federal agencies to design a race route near the National Mall for an IndyCar race on the streets of Washington, D.C., this summer.
Mr. Trump on Friday signed the order, which instructs the Interior and Transportation departments to coordinate with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser to develop a race route near the mall that “showcases the majesty of Washington, D.C., and its iconic national monuments,” according to a fact sheet released by the White House.
“It’s really amazing,” Mr. Trump said at an Oval Office signing ceremony. “It can set a record for racing. It’s very, very important.”
The race will take place as part of the “Greatness with American Motor Racing” event, which will be held in Washington from Aug. 21-23.
Mr. Trump’s order moves the event one step closer to reality, but there are still several challenges that must be resolved before the race. It might prove logistically challenging to put together a street race in a busy city in just a few months.
The project also requires congressional approval, given that advertising is banned on the Capitol grounds, and IndyCar includes several ads.
Last June, the president orchestrated a large military parade on the streets of Washington to honor the Army’s 250th birthday, featuring tanks, aerial flyovers and other military equipment.
For the IndyCar event, the federal departments are tasked with “expeditiously” securing the necessary permits and approvals, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be given the authority “to use available funds to facilitate the race,” according to the White House.
He will also coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration to allow drones and aerial photography to increase public enjoyment without compromising nearby government facilities close to the White House.
Mr. Duffy and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum attended the Oval Office event, along with IndyCar owner Roger Penske and representatives from Fox Sports.
“Merging the history and the tradition of our capital, Washington, D.C., with the speed and innovation that goes on in the IndyCar series is incredible. It is a great metaphor, because the speeds we’re talking about is the speed of President Trump,” Mr. Burgum said.
Mr. Penske said most of the events on the grounds will be free and declared that it will bring an economic boon to Washington, with people traveling to the nation’s capital to attend the event.
