Kyle Kirkwood Wins Freedom 250 IndyCar Race in Washington

American driver Kyle Kirkwood won the Freedom 250 IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, taking the victory as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the event, which was promoted as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday.

Before the race, Trump took a ceremonial opening lap in his presidential limousine as Air Force One and fighter jets flew overhead. He officially started the event at 1:18 p.m. EDT by waving the green flag, while Kirkwood reached the finish line at approximately 4 p.m.

The 1.7-mile street circuit wound through part of the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol and featured a straight section along Pennsylvania Avenue. Drivers completed 147 laps around the course, covering 250 miles in total.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office had previously estimated that about 140,000 spectators would attend the IndyCar event each day.

Kirkwood competes for Andretti Global, the racing organization owned by billionaire Mark Walter’s TWG Global. Walter, who serves as CEO of Guggenheim Partners, has an estimated net worth of $7.3 billion and has built a prominent sports portfolio that includes ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea F.C.

Walter is now selling the Lakers at a reported record valuation of $12.5 billion to billionaire Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger. The deal comes roughly a year after Walter acquired the team and has been described as highly controversial.

Walter has also reportedly faced federal scrutiny involving his business dealings, amid speculation and conspiracy theories connected to President Trump and the unexpected Lakers sale.