Kyle Kirkwood wins IndyCar race in downtown D.C. celebrating U.S. 250th birthday

Reaching top speeds of about 180 mph, the cars zipped down Pennsylvania Ave between the Capitol and the White House.

WASHINGTON — Blasting down these iconic and bumpy streets with a view of the U.S. Capitol from his car, Florida native Kyle Kirkwood took the checkered flag to win a once-in-a-lifetime IndyCar race on a sunny Sunday.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was an elaborate 250-mile spectacle with few expenses spared to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial, bringing the city a rare blend of power, money and speed.

Kirkwood, who races for Andretti Global, started second but took the lead on the opening lap with a daring maneuver around the outside of pole-sitter and championship leader Alex Palou in front of the National Archives. From there he proved unbeatable.