&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "After UFC at White House, Trump gears up for motor race in US capital")
After organising a UFC fight on the White House lawn, President Donald Trump is set to take a lap of honour at an IndyCar race through the streets of Washington this weekend, as he seeks to put his mark on celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Racing cars will speed past historic landmarks, including the US Capitol and Smithsonian museums, as 25 drivers complete 147 laps at speeds of up to 185 mph (298 kmh).
Workers have welded down more than 200 manhole covers along the 250-mile (400-kilometre) circuit to prevent the force of the speeding cars from tearing them off.
Practice and qualifying sessions will take place on Saturday, while the "Freedom 250 Grand Prix" will be held on Sunday.
Trump, 80, is expected to take a ceremonial lap of honour in his armoured limousine, "The Beast", before waving the green flag to start the race.
The event is being managed by IndyCar championship organisers. The US motorsport series features cars similar to Formula One vehicles but often holds races on oval tracks, including the Indianapolis 500.
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IndyCar race adds to 250th anniversary events
The race marks another attempt by Trump to put his stamp on Washington's celebrations for the 250th anniversary. The events began with a UFC bout held inside a huge cage on the White House lawn in June.
As with the UFC event, IndyCar organisers are covering the cost of the major logistical operation. The race has also forced the closure of some of Washington's busiest roads for several days.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the route for the unprecedented race, which resembles Formula One events held on city streets in Las Vegas, Monaco and Singapore.
Trump takes centre stage in celebrations
Trump has placed himself at the centre of celebrations marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which marked the separation of the original 13 American colonies from Britain.
He has also sought to leave his mark on Washington by starting construction of a large ballroom at the White House, renaming institutions after himself and launching a troubled repainting project at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
Instead of bringing Americans together, however, the 250th anniversary celebrations have largely become a source of political discord.
In a July 3 speech at Mount Rushmore, Trump launched a strong attack on Democrats and said the country faced a "communist menace".
He later became the main attraction at a major Fourth of July concert in Washington after several musical artists withdrew, saying the event had become too political.
The former reality TV star ended the evening with military jet flyovers followed by a world record fireworks display featuring 850,000 rockets over 40 minutes.
Polls have meanwhile shown Trump remains deeply unpopular about a year and a half after returning to the White House, with the Iran war and cost of living pushing his approval ratings down.
