Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix comes with a bevy of uncertainty about IndyCar's street race on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. To go along with the logistical questions surrounding the one-time event on federal government grounds, the racing brings an unprecedented challenge: It will be the longest street race in IndyCar history.
The race on the 7-turn, 1.47-mile course was originally set to be 125 laps, totalling 212.5 miles. On Aug. 3, the race was extended by 22 laps, matching its length (250 miles) with its namesake, which was originally only meant to honor the United States' 250th birthday.
Now, with lap times in the 55-second range on an unknown course (which could lead to an excess in cautions like the Markham street race), teams and drivers are preparing for a race that will approach – if not exceed – three hours.
"You're going to feel like you're in a bit of a washing machine in some ways, you just keep going around and around," Scott McLaughlin said. "That's going to be a long, hard race. … I'm sure there's going to be drivers out there that fall out of the seat – there's no doubt. At the same time, you feel like you train for this and get ready for it."
As many summer races do, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will test whether drivers' offseason endurance training has paid off. The longest non-oval race to this point in the season was the Grand Prix at Road America, which was 220.55 miles on Road America's road course.
"I kind of look forward to it because I love those sort of challenges," Will Power said. "But the last 50 (laps) will be pretty tough. … I think once you see the end coming, things just get easier because you know you're gonna get there. But you're probably going to be at the halfway point going … 'We got another 75 to go? Oh my god.'
From a strategy standpoint, teams will need four pit stops to get to the finish line, as opposed to the two or three it usually takes in street races. The number of stops needed could lead to vast differences in pit strategies while also shuffling the starting grid quite a bit.
"I think it's awesome that we have a four-stop street course race," Alexander Rossi said. "That's just really cool. It opens up the strategy and what you can do, and the variables that go into that. Physically, I don't think it'll be that big of a deal, just because street courses aren't that demanding."
As with many races throughout the IndyCar season this year, the weather remains a mystery in the days leading up to the race. Showers (and potentially thunderstorms) appear likely during Thursday's practice session and the IROC race. The chances on Sunday remain murky, with a high temperature in the mid-80s.
The city's reputation for high humidity could have a large impact on the drivers who'll spend three hours in the cockpit. Power compared it to IndyCar's yearly season opener, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Florida.
"The humidity makes it much tougher, because the cooling is nowhere near as efficient," Power said. "Like, you go from St. Pete to Long Beach, about the same temperature, but the difference in physicality is massive just because of the humidity in St. Pete."
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is unique in several ways, and race length is one of them. Pace, like always, will be important in deciding a winner, but which team and driver can maintain the necessary focus for all 147 laps will be just as important.
"That's gonna be tough," said Alex Palou, who could clinch a fourth straight IndyCar title with a win and other results from the four other drivers alive for the championship. "It's gonna be super long, especially on a street course where the races already feel like and there's so much going on. It'll be like an endurance race, a survival race, where we just need to stay alive, keep our nose clean and get to the end."
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar drivers expect 'washing machine' effect in record-long Freedom 250
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