WASHINGTON -- Washington hosted an IndyCar race through its streets Sunday, with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump kicking off the Freedom 250 Grand Prix by leading a slow lap in the presidential limousine through the course. Soon after, the president waved the green flag to start the race and drivers began whipping through downtown, including a stretch along Pennsylvania Avenue not too far from the White House.

"I'm going to make a little circle in a nice, secure car, slightly slower than the ones we're going to witness, but we're going to have fun," Trump said in an interview on Fox shortly before the ride.

The open-wheel race, with cars whizzing past Washington's monuments at speeds approaching 200 mph, is the latest of Trump's celebrations this year to mark America's 250th birthday.

Trump's other events to mark the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence's signing have included a UFC fight on the White House lawn, military aircraft flyovers, a July Fourth fireworks show on the National Mall and a Great American State Fair that the president headlined after scores of '90s-era musical acts dropped out.

The events have all had a Trumpian flair, featuring appearances from his friends and the aim of showcasing spectacle, Americana and power.

Sunday included some of Trump's favorite flourishes. One of his favorite singers, tenor Christopher Macchio, performed "The Star-Spangled Banner." A trained bald eagle was dramatically released near the start line, and it swooped and flew overhead before returning to its handler.

There were flyovers of military aircraft, which have boomed over the city during July Fourth celebrations, among other events. One flyover Sunday involved a formation featuring a B-2 stealth bomber, which Trump frequently boasts about for its role in dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities last year.

Air Force One, escorted by four fighter jets, flew overhead as Trump did his lap. The jet was the Qatar-gifted aircraft that the president has been using as Air Force One, which has attracted scrutiny not only for Trump's acceptance of the luxury gift but because it is not equipped with some of the same missile detection and countermeasure systems found on older presidential jets.

Around 4 p.m., Kyle Kirkwood, a 27-year-old Floridian, emerged as the winner of the Grand Prix. He told reporters that he had woken up the morning of the event with his heart racing because he was so excited for it.

"Outside of the Indy 500, there's not another race that you want to win (as much)," he said.