IndyCar race on National Mall prompts art-safety concerns
Officials say vibration studies and precautions will protect museums during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, while some art historians warn the event could endanger historic collections.
More than two dozen IndyCar drivers will compete in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on a 1.7-mile circuit that loops around Washington’s National Mall, passing the National Gallery of Art, the National Archives and two Smithsonian museums. The race, scheduled for Sunday, will feature cars reaching speeds of up to 180 mph.
The National Gallery of Art has boarded up several outdoor sculptures after completing a vibration study. "We conducted an extensive vibration study and based on the results we have implemented a set of measures to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors, collection, and facilities during the race," spokesperson Chris Abanavas said.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the event follows all protocols and has been coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure safety for visitors. IndyCar spokesperson Alex Damron added, "With this excellent track record and the thorough preparation we have done for this event, working closely with all the appropriate local and federal agencies, we do not anticipate any impact on the structures surrounding the circuit as a result of the race."
Critics argue the Mall’s usual speed limits of about 25 mph make the event unprecedented. Art historian Mary Okin, assistant director of Living New Deal, expressed concern that vibrations from construction and the race could harm historic buildings and artworks, including the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building’s murals. She wrote to the National Park Service requesting vibration monitors and mitigation measures.
The National Park Service’s response indicated no adverse effects were identified in its permit review, and the General Services Administration said its review found no areas of concern. Conservators, such as Leila Sauvage of the Rijksmuseum, note that measuring vibration levels can help establish thresholds for future events and recommend monitoring or relocating vulnerable objects.
Race organizers acknowledge the short planning window—seven months instead of the typical two-and-a-half years—and say they have provided studies on noise and vibration to the museums. "There’s no vibration," said Freedom 250 chair Bud Denker, noting IndyCars weigh 1,750 pounds, lighter than many passenger vehicles, and that decibel levels are lower than typical city sirens.
The event will involve temporary fences, road closures and welded-shut manhole covers, with Penske covering most costs except security, which will be funded by district and federal sources.