The summer window is reaching an exciting conclusion as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all push for some huge late deals. Arsenal will sign Igor Tyjon and Manchester United duo Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon after the arrival of Ezri Konsa, while they remain in the race for both Julian Alvarez and Victor Osimhen having also tabled a contract offer to Andria Bartishvili, a player dubbed as the next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete has been shot and killed at his home in South Africa, government officials said Friday.

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s sports, arts and culture minister, said the 38-year-old Tete was killed in his car and that a 27-year-old woman who was in the vehicle with him was shot multiple times and is in hospital.

Tete held world title belts in the WBF flyweight category from 2007-2008 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.

Police said the shooting took place at Mdantsane, Eastern Cape and that Tete was arriving at his residence and waiting for the gate to open when he was ambushed by two armed suspects wearing balaclavas.

___

See full AP coverage of African sports here

Two City multi-millionaires are locked in a battle over their neighbouring London mansions – as one wants to build new windows that it’s claimed would look directly into the other’s home.

Luke Stovell, 39, a partner at a hedge fund support consultancy, purchased a six bedroom detached late Victorian house with views of Wandsworth Common for £5,825,000 three years ago – and immediately hatched plans for a major upgrade.

The lavish plans for the house in an exclusive six-road enclave known as ‘The Toast Rack’, would see Mr Stovell and his Australian partner Alex Waite install floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace, lightwells, a vast side extension and extend a basement.

The couple, who have two children, would gain views of the famous common but the side of their house that they want to open up looks directly at the facade of an even bigger property belonging to legendary investor Nick Sleep, worth over £10 million.

And Mr Sleep and his wife Serita, both 58, insist Mr Stovell’s bathroom, sitting room, kitchen, balcony and garden would be in ‘direct line of sight’ if Mr Stovell’s renovation plans went ahead.

The streets bordering the Common are highly sought after – with current or recent residents including Gordon Ramsay and Jack Dee.

Objecting to the plans in April, Mr Sleep, a father-of-three, said enlarging the size and removing the obscure glazing from the windows would leave his family feeling ‘overlooked within our property and private garden’.

He said: ‘The proposal includes enlarging the size and removing the obscure glazing from the windows on the south elevation in order to afford the occupiers a view over Wandsworth Common.

Luke Stovell, 39, and his and his Australian partner Alex Waite purchased his property for £5,825,000 three years ago – and how want to make changes to his home to give them a better view of the Common 

But Nick Sleep and his wife Serita, both 58, insist the renovations would put many rooms in ‘direct line of sight’ of their home, particularly compromising the privacy of their garden 

‘[The house already] has direct views over Wandsworth Common to the east, but it does not have a direct view of the Common to the south, instead the southerly view is over the house and garden of [my house] with the Common lying beyond our property.

‘A view over the Common to the south is therefore a view across our home first, with direct line of sight into our bathroom, sitting room, kitchen, balcony and garden.

‘It is for this reason that as a courtesy, and for as long as we have owned [our house] (over ten years), the former owners frosted the south facing windows.

‘We therefore object to both the enlargement of the windows on both floors and to the removal of the obscure glass, especially given the proposed change of use of the rooms and a more intensified use leading to the perception of being overlooked within our property and private garden.’

Nick Sleep – who has been described as ‘the greatest investor you’ve never heard of’ is famous in City circles for having achieved a 921% return on investment for clients in just 13 years.

His success followed early investments in Costco, Amazon and ASOS which paid off massively, making millions for his clients. He gained significant fame after his investor letters were leaked to the public.

His opponent, Mr Stovell, is a partner with Lascaux, a high end hedge fund support company, after growing up in Wadhurst, East Sussex, recently named as the best place to live in the country.

Mr Stovell has a lower profile in the City – but inadvertently did attract attention last year when he was cited in industrial tribunal proceedings.

In one episode when ten women and just two men attended an after work drink, Mr Stovell likened the gathering to a ‘hen party’.

He also is said to have joked that his ideal employees would be ‘top sh***ers’ – though it was accepted that this was shorthand for ‘confident, sporty, team players’ rather than referring to their sexual prowess.

He was also said to have claimed he liked to hire ‘rugby lads’ and to have said of potential female employees: ‘Pregnancy is going to be an issue for anyone presentable with a normal personality’.

The company was found guilty of unfair dismissal, harassment related to sex and of victimisation in relation to one female employee – but cleared of many more charges.

Other neighbours in ‘the toast rack’ have also objected to Mr Stovell’s plans for the house.

A second near neighbour, Simon Munyard, a company director, said: ‘The proposed plan for No.1 extends the current balcony into a “Terrace”, doubling the depth of the existing balcony and extends its area across the entire back of the property.

‘We have no indication as to what this space is to be used for but as it is nominated as a Terrace, we are concerned that any use of this extended space will negatively impact on the privacy of our garden and allow direct visibility from the terrace into our bedroom, which is not possible from the existing balcony that only extends half the width of the house.

‘We would request that the Terrace is not approved to run the full width of the back of the house but is restricted to the same width as the existing balcony.’

A third neighbour, Roger Armstrong, a surveyor and local historian, added: ‘I would not call the existing pebbledash to the side elevation incongruous in its current un-painted condition.

Mr Stovell wants to install floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace, lightwells, a vast side extension and extend a basement at his home (pictured). But following objections from neighbours, the plans were thrown out by Wandsworth Council 

Objecting to the plans, Mr Sleep, a father-of-three, said enlarging the size and removing the obscure glazing from the windows would leave his family home (pictured) feeling ‘overlooked within our property and private garden’ 

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‘It reads as a later feature that has mellowed with age, but on a flank elevation it does not seem out of place. The proposed extremely wide flat roofed first floor bay could however be seen as somewhat incongruous.

‘The heritage statement provides no information as to how the brickwork would be detailed and an additional window has been added adjacent to the bay.

‘The ground floor front elevation is improved, but whether adding a further ball finial to the front wall pier is of any value is doubtful. The issue of overlooking the adjacent house [Mr Sleep’s] needs to be addressed if the scheme is to proceed.’

Following these representations, the plans were thrown out in May by Wandsworth Council.

The authority dismissed the project as being of ‘excessive scale, bulk, and inappropriate design’, adding how the redevelopment would ’cause harm to the character and appearance of the host property’.

Nick Calder, Wandsworth’s Head of Development Management, added: ‘The proposed terrace would by reason of its size and siting, lead to increased overlooking and a consequent loss of privacy, harming neighbouring residential amenity.’

But earlier this month, Mr Stovell appealed the decision.

In a monster 106-page document, he attempted to undermine the council’s ruling by questioning why neighbouring properties have been granted planning for similar plans but not him.

He said: ‘It is highly pertinent that numerous properties along Baskerville Road have been granted various alterations and extensions to their rear, some with component elements – in particular rear ground floor extensions and dormer windows, being at a greater scale than that proposed for those parts of these appeal proposals.’

Mr Stovell, is a partner with Lascaux, inadvertently attracted some attention last year when he was cited in industrial tribunal proceedings for terms he had used within the company setting 

In a 106-page document, Mr Stovell questioned the council’s rejection of the plans at his home (pictured) when neighbouring properties have been granted planning for similar projects

Contesting the council’s conclusion that his plans were of ‘excessive scale, bulk, and inappropriate design’, he said: ‘These have been designed in a considered manner that responds to the site constraints, the existing built form and plot, and the character of the surrounding area.’

He also accused Wandsworth Council of an ‘overly rigid interpretation of design policy,’ claiming his property should receive special treatment because it is end-of-terrace and possesses a ‘greater degree of variation in form and architectural expression’ than other homes on the street.

Urging planners to reconsider his application, he said: ‘In this context, the proposal does not rely on strict replication of the adjoining property but instead provides a considered and site-specific design response.’

Videoslots is a slots-focused casino brand launched in 2011 and Independent readers can get our Videoslots Casino review on this page.

Videoslots is operated by Malta-based Videoslots Limited, which also runs Mr Vegas and Mega Riches, and it is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.

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For anyone wanting to find out more, this Videoslots Casino review will cover the brand’s casino welcome bonus, the game variety, live casino offerings, the iOS and Android apps, payment methods and overall safety, as well as our verdict on who it suits best.

Videoslots Casino: Pros and cons

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Pros

Cons

Videoslots Casino welcome bonus

The Videoslots Casino bonus is a simple single-part offer, providing a 100 per cent deposit match up to £50 and 11 free spins on Starburst.

There is no Videoslots promo code required to access the offer, so new users simply need to deposit a minimum of £10 to claim.

The deposit-match bonus carries 10x wagering requirements, with online slots, table and live games contributing while progressive jackpots slots are excluded.

The 11 Videoslots free spins are completely wager-free, and they are worth £0.10 each and expire 24 hours after activation. In addition, users have 7 days after registering to activate the bonus.

Overall, this is a a simple, lower-value welcome that suits slots players, and the fact that it is backed by an unusually strong ongoing promotions programme means it also appeals to those who enjoy a good range of offers for existing users.

The following table provides a brief comparison between the Videoslots Casino bonus and the welcome offers available at competing casinos:

Games, slots and live casino

Videoslots offers users one of the largest games catalogues of any UK casino, with over 9,900 titles available and thousand of slot options including classics, new releases, Megaways and Videoslots live casino options.

There are hundreds of jackpot slots, including seven-figure progressives, as well as 750+ live-dealer tables that provide live blackjack, roulette and game show options, plus a strong high-roller/VIP live-table selection.

Games come from top providers too, such as Evolution, OnAir, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live and Stakelogic.

The multiplayer option is a genuine point of difference too, with the Battle of Slots feature letting players compete against each other in real time.

Overall, the sheer size of the game library is a huge draw. Most casino users will find something for themselves when exploring the games and the best slots on Videoslots, and while navigation can be awkward, users can utilise the provider/game-type filters and search bar to find their favourites easily.

No Videoslots Casino app

Videoslots has no dedicated iOS or Android app, so users must play through the mobile or desktop browser instead.

However, it is important to note that the mobile site works just fine, but the platform feels dated compared with app-first rivals.

Overall, using Videoslots is fine on the mobile browser, but players who want a polished dedicated app may prefer a rival, and will need to wait for a dedicated Videoslots Casino app.

Payments, safety and support

So, is Videoslots Casino legit? The answer is a resounding yes.

This online casino is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (licence 39380) and operated by Videoslots Limited, and standard KYC applies (ID and address), which is normal for any UK-licensed casino.

Accepted payment methods include debit cards like Visa and Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, Instadebit, bank transfer and SMSVoucher.

There is a £10 minimum deposit limit, while Videoslots withdrawal times tend to be around 12 hours (e-wallets are instant), though casino bank transfers can take up to two days. Remember too that withdrawal fees of 3.95% can apply in some cases.

As for customer support, there is 24/7 live chat in theory, though getting past the AI chatbot to a human agent was slow in testing. As alternatives, there are also email and contact form options.

Verdict: is Videoslots Casino right for you?

Overall, Videoslots is a great choice for dedicated slots players who want the biggest library, a deep live casino product and strong ongoing promotions.

While users might want to think twice if they want a polished dedicated app, a modern platform or fee-free instant withdrawals across the board, our Videoslots Casino review has shown that players who want a huge game library and a solid welcome bonus may find it worth trying out this casino.

Responsible gambling

When using casinos online, it is vital that you remember to gamble responsibly. Remember that the Videoslots welcome bonus is only available to people aged 18+ based in the UK.

Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Losses can mount quickly if you aren’t careful, so it helps to set a budget when you sign up to a new casino and stick to it. Never wager more than you can afford to lose.

If you need to, incorporate the use of responsible gambling tools into your play. Those offered by Videoslots include self-assessment calculators, deposit limits, loss limits, max-bet limits, reality checks, self-exclusion and time-outs.

Should you wish to seek help for gambling-related issues, there are several charities and healthcare providers who offer support and information:

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

I pay £69 to the council on top of  my council tax to have my green waste bin collected 10 times a year.

As my bin was not collected on the specified date recently, I contacted the council to report it.

It was not emptied until two weeks later, which was the designated next time anyway.

I have asked for a refund, but they just keep referring to their rules, which do not mention a lack of collection. 

As I have paid for a service and not received it, am I entitled to my money back?

Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: England’s new recycling rules came into force on March 31, 2026. 

Every council in England must now offer garden waste collections, separate from household waste. They are allowed to charge a one-off or subscription fee for this, and most do. 

The rules about what actually goes in the bin are stricter than most people realise. 

Garden waste means natural organic material that grew in your garden, excluding soil, plastic pots, stones, ash and food scraps.     

Locals in three council districts in the south of England pay the most for garden waste collections, according to recent research by private waste collection firm Divert Waste.

James Naylor is a partner at Naylor Solicitors

On an annual basis, residents in the Waverley council area, which covers the towns Godalming, Farnham, and Haslemere in Surrey, pay £136.70 to have their green waste taken away every fortnight.

East Hampshire has the next most expensive annual bin collection subscription at £130, the study said, followed by Kingston upon Thames at £104.

I asked a solicitor what you can do about your missed garden waste collection. 

James Naylor, a partner at Naylor Solicitors, said: Imagine you pay a dog walker £200 for ten walks. 

Nine take place, but on the tenth day the dog walker simply does not turn up. 

You would naturally ask: ‘I paid for ten walks and received nine. Why shouldn’t I get something back?’

That is, at heart, a question about what was promised.

Here, you paid £69 for ten scheduled collections, and one did not take place. So, start with the small print. Do the terms promise ten collections? Can a missed collection be rearranged? Do they exclude refunds or provide another remedy?

If the terms amount to a promise of ten collections, and nothing excuses the missed one, there may be an argument that part of the paid-for service was not supplied. 

But that does not automatically mean you are entitled to one-tenth of the annual fee back. 

The appropriate remedy will depend on the legal basis of the claim, the scheme’s terms and, where damages are sought, the loss suffered.

There is, however, an important qualification to the dog-walker analogy. 

A paid-for council garden-waste service also operates within a statutory framework, so the contractual terms are not necessarily the whole picture. 

Since 31 March 2026, councils in England have a duty to collect garden waste where a household has requested the service and paid any applicable charge. 

That does not necessarily mean that every missed collection gives rise to a private right to damages or a refund, and the council’s terms still matter because they help determine what service was promised and what remedies may be available if it is not provided.

The sensible first step is the council’s complaints procedure. If that fails, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is another possible avenue. 

However, the Ombudsman says it will not usually investigate one or two missed collections and does not expect councils to pay a financial remedy for a single missed collection or a limited number of them.

There may also be the possibility of a court claim. But for potentially a few pounds, litigation would be like hiring a removal van to move a shoebox: possible, but wildly out of proportion to what is at stake.

So, you may have a legal point, but it is probably better pursued through the complaints process than walked all the way to court.

Do you have a property question? Please email jane.denton@dailymail.co.uk 

WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT A 2-year-old baby girl was strangled to death in her crib by an 8ft 6in ‘hungry’ pet python trying to eat her. The snake belonged to the child’s mother and her live-in boyfriend.

In a horrific tragedy, a two-year-old girl was strangled to death in her crib by a Burmese python which belonged to her mother and her mother’s live-in boyfriend.

Shaiunna Hare was killed by ‘Gypsy’, the 8-foot 6-inch albino Burmese python owned by her mum Jaren Ashley Hare, and her mum’s partner, Charles Jason Darnell.

Jaren was 19 at the time of her daughter’s death in July 2009, while Charles was 32, and they all resided in the town of Bushnell in central Florida, USA. Charles’ two children, aged 12 and seven, also lived in the single-story house with them.

The five-year-old Burmese python Gypsy crushed Shaiunna to death, with the cause of death being logged as asphyxiation. According tothe Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, on the fateful day in July 2009, Charles found the 8ft 6in snake wrapped around Shaiunna’s head and body after the reptile had escaped the unsecured 200-gallon aquarium that had nothing but a quilt for a lid, while the couple slept at night.

The medical examiner found snake bites on the two-year-old’s head and arms, with the autopsy showing one bite on Shaiunna’s upper right arm, one on her upper left arm, and a third bite on her forehead.

According to a medical examiner who testified during the trial, the albino snake was severely underfed and underweight, weighing just 13 pounds, when a healthy reptile that size should’ve weighed around 150 pounds. The snake had not been fed for a month and the medical examiner confirmed it was trying to eat the baby girl, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Charles told detectives that the snake was in its tank when he retired for bed that night, and an hour later he said he found the python in the hallway, after which he stuffed the deadly beast in a mesh laundry bag with a small hole, and put it in its tank. He subsequently covered the unsecured tank with a quilt that was held on by safety pins, telling authorities he thought this was enough to secure the exotic pet.

The next morning, Charles reportedly found the snake coiled around Shaiunna’s head with its fangs sunk into her forehead.

Mum Jaren told deputies that Gypsy the snake had escaped from the tank and the laundry bag at least 10 times in the two months prior to her daughter’s killing, and said that she had planned to make a locking lid for the tank.

Charles then called 911 and could be heard saying, “She got out of the cage and got into the baby’s crib and strangled her to death. I’m going to kill the b****,” in the frantic recording of the call as he reportedly stabbed their pet snake with a knife and meat cleaver. Shaiunna tragically died at the scene.

Notably, the aquarium was kept in the living room of their house, where Charles’ two young kids, aged 12 and seven at the time, slept on a sofa bed. Luckily, those two children were unharmed.

Tampa Bay Times reports that in May 2009, in two separate incidents, Charles was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, criminal mischief, and possession of cocaine and pain pills.

He was also accused of ripping a mirror off his ex-wife’s car. In that same month, someone had called in a complaint to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), alleging that the couple were regular drug users and neglected the young children living in their house under their care.

A snake breeder, Eugene Bessette, also testified during the 2011 trial and said the python was very underfed and malnourished. According to NBC News, Eugene also said the snake’s home aquarium was not fit for the reptile: “It’s totally and impossibly incapable of housing a python. It has no way to secure the animal. It’s impossible. You can put fish in there if it doesn’t leak.”

WTSP reports Gypsy the snake had been mum Jaren’s pet since she was 14-year-old, while Charles took responsibility for the care of the python.

During the trial, Jaren’s defence attorney, Ismael Solis Jr, said she had owned the albino python for five years as he argued that “this snake was no different than a family dog. The snake is like a little puppy to her.”

Jaren and Charles were both found guilty of third degree murder, manslaughter and child neglect for the July 2009 death of Jaren’s daughter Shaiunna. After the reading of the verdict, Charles was seen attempting to console his distraught girlfriend.

Post the sentencing, Shaiunna’s biological father, Joseph Gilkerson, said: “Justice was served. I’m happy it was served.”

Jaren and Charles both received and served a 12-year prison sentence, with state records showing Charles was released from prison in January 2021 while Jaren was released nine months later.

Despite the horrific tragedy, the couple seemed to have maintained their romantic relationship while incarcerated, and reportedly claimed they planned to get married upon their release, even as they were instructed to remain on parole until 2026.

News 6 reportedly contacted a number associated with Charles, and Jaren declined to comment, as per Click Orlando.

In a separate case, Shaiunna’s dad Joseph lodged a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Children and Families for wrongful death, as he alleged that the agency had failed to safeguard his child after a DCF investigator had seen the python in the house. The lawsuit was later settled after a confidential agreement between Joseph and the department.

Jaren and her partner Charles became the first people in Florida’s history to be convicted on criminal charges for a snake killing, as per the state attorney’s office. After the tragedy, the Florida legislature amended state rules to broadly prohibit the possession of Burmese pythons and other large snakes.

Mistake when taking the medication could lead to two different conditions

Omeprazole is a common medication taken by millions of people across the UK to treat a range of stomach issues like heart burn, indigestion and acid reflux. However, many people could be ‘misusing’ the drug because it’s available over-the-counter with few understanding the warnings around how long they are allowed to take it.

Researchers in Brazil discovered that using Omeprazole for too long can change the way your body absorbs certain nutrients, potentially putting people at risk of serious health issues like aneamia and osteoporosis by decreasing iron levels and leeching calcium from your diet into the bloodstream instead of your bones.

Osteoporosis causes the bones to become more weak and fragile, making it more susceptible to breaks and fractures as they start losing bone density. It develops over several years but the condition doesn’t have many noticeable symptoms until a person starts breaking bones.

Anaemia on the other hand causes a range of noticeable symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin and headaches. It can be treated with certain medications and lifestyle changes such as eating more meat and fortified cereals.

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Official guidance from the NHS warns: “Do not take omeprazole for longer than 2 weeks if you bought it without a prescription. See a GP if your symptoms get worse or do not get better.”

However, because people can buy some omeprazole medications at pharmacies without needing a prescription, some may be taking it for much longer than they are meant to.

People taking the medication long-term are advised to have regular check-ins with their doctor. It’s also best to check with your doctor if you plan to stop taking the drug after long-term use, even if it wasn’t prescribed in the first place.

Omeprazole can cause a range of side effects even with normal usage under doctor’s orders. This can include headaches, stomach pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or vomiting.

The NHS also warns: “Taking omeprazole can make it harder to notice symptoms of some serious conditions, such as stomach cancer. See a GP if you’re worried.”

Published in the ACS Omega journal earlier this year, scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), the study used rates and simulated the way humans use the drug. They found long-term use caused mineral accumulations in the stomach, imbalances in the spleen and liver as well as changes in the blood.

The animals’ blood had increased calcium levels and decreased iron levels. Indicating a risk of anemia and osteoporosis as a result. Longer studies are needed to confirm these results.

Andréa Santana de Brito, a researcher at UNIFESP, told Agência FAPESP: “It isn’t a question of demonizing the drug, which is effective for various gastric conditions. The problem is its trivialized use, even for mild symptoms such as heartburn, and for prolonged periods of months and even years. Its adverse effects shouldn’t be overlooked.”

Clancy lacked control and was likely unable to tell the difference between right and wrong on that January 2023 day, he told the jury on Friday.

“In her mind, she believed that she would be doing her children a favour by having them go to heaven with her rather than remain on earth without her doing the mothering,” Resnick testified.

The case is expected to go to the jury early next week following nearly a month of witness testimony.

Earlier this week, Clancy’s mother and former mother-in-law testified about how Clancy’s mental health deteriorated after the birth of her youngest son.

“She was begging for help,” Clancy’s former mother-in-law, Susan Clancy, said of a woman she described as a “very nurturing, very loving” mother.

Clancy has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors have said that in January 2023, Clancy intentionally strangled the three children with fitness bands in their Massachusetts home before jumping out of a second-floor window. Clancy, now 36, was paralysed by the jump and has attended the trial in a wheelchair.

The defence have said Clancy experienced hallucinations and delusions after giving birth to Callan and she was undergoing medical treatment for psychiatric problems. She checked herself into a psychiatric hospital for a few days just before the deaths.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) defines postpartum psychosis as a rare serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby.

“Postpartum psychosis is very different from the ‘baby blues’,” the NHS adds. “It’s a serious mental illness and should be treated as a medical emergency.”

If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org.

In the UK a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even for well-traveled IndyCar drivers, a track with the U.S. Capitol in the background is a little awe inspiring.

“We get to race at a lot of cool cities, but this one is by far the best that we’ve ever had, and I can say that very truthfully,” Kyle Kirkwood said Friday. “Going by the Capitol building, the views here, all the architecture of all the buildings around here, all the museums, it’s stuff that you dream of.

“It’s a serious honor and privilege.”

This weekend’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix is the second big sporting event staged by President Donald Trump in Washington as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. The first was a UFC fight card on the White House’s South Lawn in June.

IndyCar racing — an open-wheel counterpart to NASCAR — doesn’t have quite the same association with the right-wing “manosphere” or the MAGA movement, but series owner Roger Penske received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump in 2019 and led the effort to put together this race in the District of Columbia.

For the drivers, it’s a welcome moment in the spotlight.

“What’s been the coolest part of this week? Honestly, the media covering us,” Kirkwood said. “It’s cool to see IndyCar in this light. We don’t get these opportunities very often outside of the Indy 500, and to have an event that is sought after as much as the 500 is something that’s special.”

Washington has little history with high-level motorsports. In 2002, the parking lot at RFK Stadium on the city’s east side was transformed into a course for an American Le Mans Series event.

The Freedom 250 is downtown in one of D.C.’s prime tourist areas. If you’re not in a race car, it’s not the greatest weekend to be driving around the area given all the road closures, but if the weather holds up, the setting has the potential to be spectacular.

“As a boy from the Netherlands that just got his green card, it is really cool,” said Rinus VeeKay, who has six top-10 finishes this season. “We didn’t get too much U.S. history in school … but learning so much about it here, seeing all the monuments and museums and just how every building kind of has a special purpose here around the city, is very cool. Getting to see the White House, this is stuff you see in movies.”

The White House is not part of the D.C. course, although after Turn 1, the track does include a lengthy straightaway along Pennsylvania Avenue, heading northwest away from the Capitol. Then there’s a sharp left turn between the National Archives and the main Justice Department building, followed by a couple quick 90-degree turns as the track navigates the city’s grid system.

After a straightaway takes drivers across the National Mall, they turn left onto Independence Avenue, passing the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum. and the Eisenhower Memorial before heading north on 3rd Street to the finish line, which is just west of the Capitol.

“I think it’s more exciting when you actually get on the grounds and see what you’re about to do. I mean, when is this ever going to happen again?” said Josef Newgarden, a driver for Team Penske. “I hope it’s great visibility. That’s probably the biggest thing that it could bring to us — is visibility to people that aren’t maybe as familiar with IndyCar racing.”

IndyCar practice and qualifying are scheduled for Saturday, along with an IROC race. The IndyCar race is Sunday and set for 250 miles (147 laps) — the second-longest street circuit race in IndyCar history.

The 1.7-mile track includes seven turns in all. The Air & Space Museum and National Gallery of Art are both inside the course’s perimeter, with a fan zone between them. The track is shorter and has fewer turns than several others on the IndyCar schedule, but it’s not much different from the 1.6-mile, nine-turn circuit used in downtown Detroit.

“It’s short and snappy, but you know what? We don’t know. We haven’t driven on it yet,” driver Marcus Armstrong said. “We’ll find out tomorrow. It might even be wet tomorrow. There’s a lot of crosswalks, a lot of paint on the track, so that could be super slippery.”

___

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here