Bobby Rahal named Grand Marshal of the Honda INDY 200 at MID-OHI - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Bobby Rahal named Grand Marshal of the Honda INDY 200 at MID-OHIO

LEXINGTON, Ohio – Bobby Rahal has been named Grand Marshal of The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, August 5.

Rahal has a special bond with Mid-Ohio, attending his first race there with his father in the track's opening year of 1962, and eventually going on to drive Indy cars at the track for several races under TrueSports. Rahal will add the Grand Marshal duties to his already busy weekend as a team owner and race strategist in both the American Le Mans Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series. His son, Graham, will be racing the No. 38 Service Central Honda for Target Chip Gannassi Racing.

"We are honored to have Bobby Rahal as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio," said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. "Bobby has truly been one of Mid-Ohio's greatest ambassadors and it's great that we can acknowledge his efforts over the years with this honor."

Rahal has won several times at Mid-Ohio with a pair of wins in IMSA GT, IROC and of course CART. The Ohioan won the Indy 500 as driver in 1986 for TrueSports, the previous owners of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and also has three CART championships to his name.

"I feel such a connection to Mid-Ohio. I went to the first race in 1962 with my father 50 years ago, which is hard to believe. I have so many great memories since then between seeing some great racing to winning there myself to being part of TrueSports and seeing Jim Trueman's vision of a spectator-friendly track come to life and Jim's mark on the track is still present today," said Rahal. "I have always gotten such great support from the fans there and feel a big connection to the place so it is an honor to have the chance to serve as Grand Marshal of this event."

The Lexington, Ohio-based track hosts the biggest motorsport event in the state this weekend with the co-headlined Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge and The Honda Indy® 200 at Mid-Ohio featuring the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron and the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Weekend and daily General Admission tickets are available at the gate, starting at $80 for the weekend and $50 for race day. General parking is free and children 12 and under are also admitted free. Visit midohio.com anytime or call 800-MID-OHIO (643-6446) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. for more information.