IndyCar champ Kyle Kirkwood singles out Trump after historic DC Grand Prix win

WASHINGTON, DC: Kyle Kirkwood on Sunday, August 23, had one person in particular to acknowledge after pulling off a remarkable win in Washington, DC. 

The IndyCar driver, who grew up in Jupiter, Florida, pointed to President Donald Trump's presence at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix as he reflected on his victory.

Kirkwood called the setting “incredible” and said the result was “awesome” and “a dream come true” after 147 demanding laps through the nation’s capital.

Kyle Kirkwood praises Trump

Right after his victory, Kirkwood spoke about Trump's enthusiastic presence at the event.

He simply noted that they shared a Florida connection and said it was striking to see the president at an IndyCar race.

“I’m a fellow Florida guy. I grew up in Jupiter,” Kirkwood said. “It’s cool to see him down here and right here in this race. What an incredible place to do it.”

Trump and first lady Melania Trump were watching and cheering as Kirkwood went on to take the checkered flag.

The president had been involved in the spectacle from the beginning, including waving the green flag to officially get the race underway.

Kirkwood, meanwhile, had his own job to do.

Starting from second, he immediately went after pole-sitter Alex Palou.

He managed to get ahead on the opening lap and then spent the rest of the race defending that position.

By the finish, Kirkwood had completed 147 laps and secured a victory that was particularly unusual given where it happened.

“This is incredible,” Kirkwood said afterward. “It is awesome, and it’s a dream come true.”

IndyCar later celebrated Kirkwood’s victory on Instagram, posting footage of the jubilant driver leaping into the crowd of supporters as he soaked in his historic win. 

IndyCar takes over Washington

The Freedom 250 brought IndyCar racing into the heart of Washington for a one-off street race.

The course was built around city streets, putting the drivers in an environment far removed from the usual permanent racing tracks.

The cars raced through areas surrounded by some of the capital’s best-known landmarks, including the Capitol, the White House, the National Archives, and the National Air and Space Museum.

The 250-mile contest was not an easy drive.

The street course included seven corners and long stretches where speeds climbed toward 180 mph.

Kirkwood later admitted the race had taken a lot out of him.

The unusual event had also been heavily promoted as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Trump and Melania took an honorary lap around the circuit in the presidential limousine before the race began.

Trump was then given the ceremonial task of waving the field away.

The president’s involvement was part of a larger show surrounding the race, which also included military flyovers.

But once the engines started, Kirkwood was the one making the headlines.