Kyle Kirkwood won the Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, delivering an American winner in the IndyCar race that served as a centerpiece of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. The Andretti Global driver led 128 of 147 laps in the 250-mile street race, crossing the finish line 3.09 seconds ahead of Christian Lundgaard.

A dominant run

Kirkwood, who started second, took the lead from pole-sitter Alex Palou on the opening lap and never looked back. His margin of victory was the largest of the race, which featured multiple caution periods and incidents. Will Power and Marcus Ericsson, Kirkwood's Andretti teammates, finished third and fourth respectively.

"You can't even put it in words. This is incredible," Kirkwood said, describing the 147-lap race as hard. He called the victory the biggest of his career outside the Indianapolis 500 and said he was delighted to dominate the race and described it as a dream come true.

Palou's tough day

For Alex Palou, the race was a missed opportunity to clinch the IndyCar championship. The series leader, who started from pole, finished 20th after a series of incidents. He was assessed a drive-through penalty for a pit-stop infringement and later spun, ending any chance of a strong result. His championship lead over Kirkwood dropped from 133 points to 91 with three races to go. Palou remains the standings leader and is favored to win his fifth title.

Scenes from the capital

The Freedom 250 was more than just a race. President Donald Trump served as the race's official starter, waving the green flag to begin the event, and he also took a ceremonial lap in the presidential limousine. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acted as grand marshal. The race capped a series of events in the capital marking the country's semiquicentennial, including a UFC event at the White House.

A lively race

The race wasn't without its share of drama. A first-lap caution for debris set the tone for a busy afternoon. On Lap 36, David Malukas crashed into the wall, and Sting Ray Robb was collected, ending both their days. Later, Marcus Armstrong was penalized for avoidable contact after sending Christian Rasmussen into a spin. With 19 laps remaining, Scott McLaughlin attempted a pass on Kirkwood but ended up in the tire barrier.

Looking ahead

Kirkwood's victory was his second of the season and the seventh of his IndyCar career. His win also extended his record at street courses, where he has now won six times.

The IndyCar season continues with a double-header at the Milwaukee Mile on August 29 and 30.

— Reporting by AP