WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alex Palou will start from the pole Sunday just as he has done 18 other times in his career.
But the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will feature a unique start, with President Donald Trump most likely waving the green flag from inside a bulletproof suite on Pennsylvania Avenue just past Turn 1.
So will Palou take a look at who waves the green flag as he leads the field to green?
“It will be interesting,” he said in his news conference after winning the pole for the inaugural (and likely only) race on the streets of the National Mall. “It’s the first time that we’re going to start after Turn 1, right?
NTT P1 Award winner Alex Palou (far right) celebrates his pole position for the Freedom 250. (Getty Images)
“So it will be fun. I think we just have an incredible opportunity this weekend to show our product to people that’s never been around INDYCAR or have never seen it. Just seeing the stands, how packed they are already on Saturday — it’s incredible. I cannot wait.”
After months of anticipation, INDYCAR drivers actually got to turn laps on iconic streets with the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument in the background.
And they found out on Saturday what people here already knew: the roads have some bumps.
But, man, it was — as INDYCAR series points leader Palou put it — “very, very cool.”
“It was pretty awesome,” Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin told me after the first practice session, where drivers got 52 minutes on the track. “It’s quite a technical track for how short it is.
“I had a lot of fun.”
Scott McLaughlin prepares for Sunday’s Freedom 250 in D.C. (Getty Images)
INDYCAR drivers were set to get another practice early Saturday afternoon and then qualify in the early evening for the 147-lap, 250-mile race Sunday on the 1.7-mile street course that includes Pennsylvania, Constitution and Independence Avenues in the nation’s capital.
“I didn’t know if it was going to be fun or not to drive,” Palou said in a post-practice virtual news conference. “It’s a blast, super fun. It’s very bumpy. Huge bumps heading into Turn 2 and Turn 6.
“Massive bumps that are going to spice things up.”
Bumps are nothing new for street courses in INDYCAR, with many drivers comparing the conditions to the course at Detroit.
However, the bumps were a little more exaggerated than teams anticipated and they will spend the next day trying to figure out the best way to approach it.
“[We’re] going to attempt to see if we are able to get a greater steadiness within the corners, not focus a lot on the bumps,” Palou mentioned. “They don’t seem to be going to vanish.
“I feel when you transfer somewhat bit on lanes, is perhaps somewhat bit higher, nevertheless it’s not going to fully go away from that.”
Groups can alter the shocks to assist the automotive deal with the bumps higher.
“The monitor is cool,” mentioned British driver Louis Foster. “The surroundings is superior. It is extremely, very bumpy. I’ve a sore again proper now from simply the primary session, however we get to tune into some issues, increase the experience peak [of the car].”
Marcus Ericsson is the latest INDYCAR winner after taking the checkered flag last week on the Toronto suburb of Markham. He is aware of one thing about racing on iconic streets. A former Formulation 1 driver, Ericsson was in a position to cherish the brand new expertise he had Saturday.
Marcus Ericsson would not thoughts the bumpy Freedom 250 course. (Getty Pictures)
“It was actually enjoyable,” Ericsson mentioned. “It’s a difficult monitor with all of the bumps. It’s fairly tough in locations, as you’ll count on in a avenue course. … It’s enjoyable to be right here.”
The Andretti World driver mentioned the rivals will adapt to the course.
“You’ve received to get used to them and perceive them and use them in the absolute best approach,” Ericsson mentioned. “You consider automotive placement, try to place the automotive perhaps in locations the place they aren’t as extreme.
“It’s simply a kind of challenges with street-course racing, so I don’t thoughts it.”
One different issue drivers will battle is the humidity.
Early Saturday morning, rain pressured the beginning of the primary session to be run in damp circumstances. The monitor dried shortly, nevertheless it remained humid.
The race on Sunday is prone to final at the very least 140 minutes and that’s if there aren’t any cautions.
“I am prepared for the road combat, man,” mentioned Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward throughout a digital information convention after the primary follow. “I prepare actually onerous once I’m house and I prepare actually onerous within the offseason.
“I really feel like these conditions are what I try to put together myself to have the ability to face up to.”
For probably the most half, INDYCAR was comparatively lucky with the climate, as temperatures weren’t sweltering and the rain stayed away.
Palou certified on the pole and Kyle Kirkwood, the motive force second within the standings, will begin second.
“In every single place across the whole monitor was rows of individuals, which was unimaginable to see,” Kirkwood mentioned concerning the environment.
“It is large for INDYCAR, for the game, for the U.S., for us drivers, groups, our sponsors. It is all win-win.”
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