Through The Eyes of a Journalist: Freedom 250 Grand Prix

Alexander Rossi leads Mick Schumacher and Nolan Siegel around the Streets of Washington DC during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix - (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Editor's Note - SPMJ President Paul Page graciously wrote a first-person perspective on the historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix

There was a buzz. A huge buzz! I went to the Freedom 250 expecting the chaos always associated with a new street circuit. Totally surprised. It went smoothly. I was looking for flaws and found none. Absent one small issue it went perfectly. It was billed as a one-time event but after the checkered flag every wanted to do it again.

Normally I would have a hard card but as this was a one off for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network I went through the credential office et the track. That is always a moment of apprehension. Will I be on the list? Can I go where I need to go? How long will the line be? No worries. Credentials were at the National Building Museum and the process was both swift and pleasant. All the needed credentials were there, except dinner with the President, and it took 5 minutes. Then off to the media center, which was in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, 50 yards from the credential gate. Law enforcement was massive. Event security on race day was controlled by the US Secret Service and classified as a major event like the Super Bowl or Indianapolis 500. The Secret Service did the bag check and it was as thorough as any I’ve seen. The agent, dressed in tactical gear, was pleasant and cheerful. He was backed up by other agents, the uniformed National Guard, and Metro Police. I felt safe.

Up to the 8^th floor media center. They had a lot of room and good food. Normally when I worked on Play by Play at an event I never have time to spend at the media center. Checking things out as the President of the SPMJ I felt the journalists we represent were well provided for. They had a large open terrace for TV stand ups and great overview of the pits and main straight. Movement around the restricted areas was unimpeded. I left a handful of SPMJ pamphlets on the tables and hopefully we will find more qualified members.

I spent some time in the Andretti Engineering Truck before the race. Kyle Kirkwood was there talking with his engineers. He was laid back and in great humor. He was ready. But that time alone minutes before the start was exciting to watch. He remarked on the energy of the crowd. There was an exciting feeling surrounding the race. For me it was a rare look into that quiet moment a driver has before stepping into the spotlight. Two hours later he was the Champion. Good for the quiet unassuming American.

You have all seen the stories of the race itself but here are a few asides. The President was highly visible and stayed the entire event out in the open. He was obviously enjoying himself. We found out Melania was a race fan. Who would have thought? The Andretti suites had a moment when their section of the scaffolding dropped 6 inches and was evacuated for the remainder of the day. The event staff and security were on the spot and eager to help.

Biggest moment for me was being saved by the Secret Service. OK that’s pushing it a little, but we were waiting for the elevator and when the doors opened a credentialed photographer rushed out and brushed me with his backpack. That knocked me off balance, and I fell backwards into a USSS agent. He caught me just before I hit the ground. OK it wasn’t that big a save but it’s my story.

At the end of the race much of the crowd stayed a while. Many spectators used rental bikes to get around, and a great many used the subway. If it happens in the future those are going to be my mode of transportation.