Not all DC residents are enthused about Trump's Freedom 250 race

As Washington, D.C., gears up for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix this weekend, residents and visitors are still figuring out the giant racetrack in the heart of the city and how to navigate it.

Jason Michaud, a Trump supporter from Las Vegas, came to the capital with his wife and daughter.

On a typical summer day, tourists can walk across the National Mall and visit the numerous Smithsonian museums without hassle, but on Tuesday, Aug. 19, Michaud, 42, said his family had to walk around the 1.7 mile racetrack to see the sights.

"I like direct paths," Michaud told USA TODAY. "It just makes us walk further away to get to where we're going."

Hear from D.C. residents in the video at the top the story.

Where is the Freedom 250 racetrack set up?

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is taking place Aug. 22-23. Around 250,000 people are expected to descend on the National Mall for the first-ever IndyCar Series in Washington, D.C. The seven-turn race will loop around the east end of the National Mall and run down Pennsylvania and Independence Avenues, home to some of the city's most important traffic intersections.

The free event is one of the signature celebrations commemorating the country's 250th anniversary, according to DC250.

"This will be like no other race ever," Trump said last month while hosting three IndyCar drivers at the White House. "It will be one of the most unforgettable racing events the world has ever seen."

District isn't so stoked about the event. See reactions

The event hasn't received a warm reception from all D.C. residents.

The city implemented traffic restrictions last month that are expected to remain in place through Sept. 3.

The restrictions pertain to parking lanes, curb lanes, and partial travel lanes to assist with the buildout and breakdown of the event, according to a city news release.

This has caused headaches for some commuters and tourists trying to get around the city.

And despite the extensive planning behind the event, news of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix hasn't reached all residents.

Michael Crawshaw, 29, has been living in the District for seven years, but didn't really know that the event was happening.

He was confused when he emerged from the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro station in downtown and saw the barricades surrounding the racetrack.

"I couldn't come up with a rational explanation in my mind for the observations that were right in front of me," said Crawshaw. "Like, is there literally going to be a race car race here in D.C.?"

Though Crawshaw isn't commuting through the city, he said he'd probably be "very upset" if he were.

Aaron Jackson, another resident who was visiting the National Gallery of Art, echoed Crawshaw's remarks. "I'm grateful I don't have a car to navigate all of this, but at first it was confusing because I just didn't know whether or not I was going to be able to get through," he said.

Jackson managed to get to the museum by using a designated pathway through the barricades.

However, he wouldn't consider driving around the racetrack.

"This looks like a nightmare," he said.

Crowds are 'good for business'

Caleb Walker, an 18-year-old Starbucks worker from Northeast D.C., didn't have strong opinions about the extra foot traffic, but he was fascinated by the military vehicles surrounding he track and the hustle and bustle as crews worked to finish preparations.

"It's good for business," he said.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY based in Washington, DC. Reach her at [email protected].