After racing 147 laps around iconic Washington DC landmarks, IndyCar drivers say they would welcome the opportunity to return to the nation's capital.
Drivers who raced in Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix praised everything from the challenging street course to the one-of-a-kind setting surrounding it.
Here's a look at what some of the drivers said about the race.
Kyle Kirkwood
Race winner Kyle Kirkwood said the spectacle of Sunday's race had similar energy to the Indianapolis 500, the most storied race in the series.
"Just that sensation, it gives it its own energy. That's what this place had," he told The Indianapolis Star. "This was a very special day. We were very prepared for it. Outside of the Indy 500, I don't think there's another race that you'd want
to win.”
He said seeing 100,000 fans on both days was "absolutely incredible," telling the Star he's eager for the race to return "because I want to win again."
Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon, who has won the IndyCar series six times, believes the Freedom 250 Grand Prix could be bigger than the Indy 500.
“The Secret Service, all the snipers on the top, the flyovers, everything like that,” said Dixon, the third-place finisher. “It never felt more American to me than this race. But it was epic.”
IndyCar officials are non-committal about the race returning to DC, but Dixon said "we all hope it's not a one-time event."
Marcus Ericsson
Marcus Ericsson, who finished in fourth place and sits in seventh in the standings, called the weekend "incredible."
“Fingers crossed we can come back here in the future,” Ericsson told the Indy Star. “I know the talk is one and done, but if there is any chance to come back, I’d love that.”
Christian Lundgaard
"What an experience all weekend," said Lundgaard, who finished in second place.
"The best background I’ve ever had on a racetrack, obviously," he told Motorsport.com. "Just being a part of it, seeing where the series is going, being a part of it.”
Alex Palou
With six wins on the series this year, Palo was disappointed in his 20th-place finish, but before the raise he called racing in DC "a privilege."
He won the pole before crashing on lap 126 of Sunday's race.
"It's a spectacular place, with spectacular fans as well. It's been packed all day," he told Reuters.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why IndyCar drivers say they would want to race in Washington DC again
