By David Morgan, Associate Editor
WASHINGTON – Heading into this weekend’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., the American contingent of drivers have been focused on this race as they hope to be able to capture victory in the nation’s capital in what is likely to be a one-off special event.
Key among them being the driver of the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda Graham Rahal, who hopes he will be the driver to carry the banner for the stars and stripes on Sunday.
“This year, I think people have circled this one because once we all knew that this was happening, everybody was locked in on the opportunity to be here,” said Rahal.
“But for me as an American, it goes tenfold because I would love nothing more in my life than to win this race. As I said, I’ve always been sort of the proud patriot of the group around here and Santino [Ferrucci] as well. And to be able to race on these streets and to be able to race around the monuments and the history that this great country has, and to be able to win the one, the race around the National Mall, I think it’d mean more to me than anything in my life outside of having my children probably.
“So, I certainly hope that we can make that happen. “
Rahal added that being able to race in and around the National Mall, surrounded by the various monuments and museums, along with all of the other historical elements of the city make this event even more special than the typical street race.
“I mean, just look up, right? This is a spectacular place,” Rahal added. “Maybe if you live in the city, you get spoiled by it and forget. But the reality is that not only for this country, but some of the world’s most impactful decisions have been made in this city. And so, it’s a blessing to be able to be here and see it again.
“I’ve done it. I’ve walked the National Mall. My grandfather’s buried at Arlington Cemetery. I’m going there [Friday] morning to see him. He fought World War II. So, I feel it to my core, but I’m excited to be here and be able to race around a lot of it.”
Since the inception of this race and its creation with an executive order from the President, it has had political undertones that have gone along with it, but Rahal noted that he has seen excitement from both sides of the aisle in support of the event.
“Not for me, because I get that the political scope nowadays is quite polarizing and was during the last presidency too. I know that under President Trump, things kind of go up a couple of levels, but what I can tell you is what I experienced. And what I experienced when I came here and spent two days on Capitol Hill was on both sides of the aisle. I saw a tremendous amount of energy, excitement, enthusiasm, and positivity towards this race,” Rahal explained.
“I did not see it as politically polarizing as what I see on social media and other things. What I saw with my own eyes was Democrats and Republicans together pumped up about this weekend. And that was actually very refreshing, I must add, because when I came here that week, I didn’t know if that would be the tone.
“But what I also saw that was maybe even more important was that the citizens of this area, the Uber driver, everybody that I talked to couldn’t wait for this weekend and the weekend is finally here.
He continued, adding that the excitement from everyone around the city is what will make or break an event like this and hopes this will be a success for everyone involved by the time the checkered flag waves on Sunday.
“I’ve been in this 20 years. That’s the recipe for success,” he said. “I raced in Baltimore and I raced in other cities that we went there and the minute that we went there, there was nothing but negativity. And you knew it wasn’t going to work. I don’t feel that here.
“I didn’t feel that here two weeks ago, and I hope that as we go through the weekend, everybody can see what an inspiring and awesome event this can be.”
Rahal and the rest of the NTT IndyCar Series field will get their first laps on-track on Saturday morning, with a busy day of preparation culminating in qualifying for Sunday’s 147-lap main event.
Opening practice is scheduled for 9:00 am ET (FS1), followed by second practice at 1:00 pm ET (FS2), and qualifying (FS2) at 5:00 pm ET.
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