What locals, spectators and tourists should know about the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in DC

Key Points:

• The Freedom 250 Grand Prix main race is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Sunday, with practices, autograph sessions, and other races occurring throughout the weekend from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
• The 1.7-mile race track runs through several downtown streets, including Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, with drivers completing 147 laps for a total of 250 miles.
• Extensive road closures and parking restrictions will impact the downtown area and National Mall before, during, and after the race, prompting officials to encourage fans to use Metro, bus services, or the Potomac Water Taxi for transportation.
• Access to parts of the National Mall and several Smithsonian museums will be limited to ticketholders, and the Federal Aviation Administration plans to pause flights at Reagan National Airport from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sunday due to race-related activities.
• Race organizers state that rain will not halt the event, but lightning could lead to sheltering in designated safe havens; additionally, all maintenance hole covers along the track have been welded down to ensure safety at high speeds.