SerpApi.Org
NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace couldn't turn down the opportunity to compete in the Freedom 250 IndyCar race held in downtown Washington, D.C., and the 69-year-old has instantly begun preparing for his brief return to motorsports.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to pave the way for an NTT IndyCar race to be held in the capital, extending his Freedom 250 celebrations. Trump recently hosted a UFC event at the White House, and now IndyCar will be the main event.
While Trump has criticized construction projects elsewhere in the downtown region, the IndyCar race weekend will take place from Aug. 22-23. Wallace has been relatively inactive behind the wheel since retiring in 2005, but accepted the once-in-a-lifetime proposal.
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Wallace said that Kaulig Racing offered him a unique opportunity to return to NASCAR, which he rejected, but he ultimately accepted an entry in the White House race. "The Kaulig guys got a hold of me at the Betty J France Poker tournament this year and asked me to do that. I said no," he told Chris Gollon.
"Then I get a phone call two weeks ago from Ray Evernham (who) wants me to run at the White House (in) an IROC car, and I said yes. So two weeks ago, Bill Elliott and myself went to Kershaw Carolina Motorsports Park.
"We practiced all day long, both of us did. Got the bugs knocked out of my head. I was amazed, how it was going to be 70 years old, how fast it came back. The downshifting, braking, all that stuff.
"With all that said, I'm still nervous going into that race on August 22nd at the White House. There's eight of us, there's me, and you probably saw the press release, me and Gordon, Elliott, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, and Tony Kanaan.
"Eight of us going for it, and we're not going to play. We're going to try to get it done, so we'll see what happens."
Ahead of the big race, IndyCar Series owner Roger Penske, Freedom 250 Grand Prix chairman Bud Denker, and current drivers Alex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist, and David Malukas met with Trump at the White House. The promotional event helped excite fans ahead of the 1.7-mile street course laid out around the National Mall.
"We are proud to welcome the International Race of Champions to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend, as we honor racing history by bringing some of the sport's greatest heroes to this already legendary weekend," said Freedom 250 Grand Prix chairman Denker.
"IROC has always represented the best of the best, bringing together champions from across motorsports to compete on equal footing. From the current INDYCAR stars to former NASCAR and INDYCAR champions, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be a celebration of racing's past and present competing at one of the most iconic settings in the world."
