What to know about this weekend's IndyCar race on the streets of the nation's capital

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump is hosting the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race around a 1.66-mile track on streets near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the country's 250th birthday celebrations, with the main event scheduled for Sunday and expected to draw around 140,000 spectators each day.
• The 250-mile race will feature speeds exceeding 190 mph along Pennsylvania and Independence Avenues, with extensive preparations including road resurfacing, manhole cover welding, and installation of barriers and spectator risers to ensure safety.
• Historic preservationists, particularly the Living New Deal organization, have raised concerns that vibrations and noise from the race could damage priceless frescoes at the Wilbur J. Cohen Building, a site significant to New Deal history, prompting calls for protective measures and post-race damage assessments.
• The U.S. General Services Administration and race organizers have stated that no significant risks were identified and emphasized IndyCar's experience with urban street circuits, while nearby museums such as the National Gallery of Art have conducted vibration studies and implemented precautionary measures.
• The event, broadcast live on Fox, has sparked debate over the appropriateness of hosting a high-speed race in the historic and cultural heart of the nation’s capital, with critics questioning the decision and supporters highlighting its patriotic significance.