Rahal sets date with 'Lady' if he wins race at Barber

Graham Rahal and the IZOD IndyCar Series raced to Birmingham City Hall on March 27.

The driver of the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing car greeted Birmingham Mayor William Bell and grade-school students, who watched as City Council member Valerie Abbott enjoyed a ride in the Indy Racing Experience street-legal two-seater.

Rahal thanked the city for their support of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, saying that the race weekend at Barber Motorsports Park is an excellent time/place for youth to experience their first IndyCar race as children 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult.

Click it: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama entrant list

Weekend schedule || Driver performances at Barber || Pit lane assignments

Rahal – the youngest winner in series history – will be greeting fans from 4:45-5:45 p.m. March 29 at the IZOD store at the Outlet Shops of Grand River.

Rahal will make his third start in the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Practice gets underway on the 2.38-mile, 17-turn road course on March 30.

Visitors to the scenic facility can’t miss the newest addition to the artwork collection: the Lady in the Lake just past the Fan Zone on the right-hand side. It joins other whimsical sculptures, such as metal ants toting a motorcyclist outside the first turns and the giant spider and young brood that overlook the hairpin.

There’s not a spectator’s guide to the artwork, much of which is in out-of-the-way locations (such as a cat perched atop the scoring tower). Just allow your eyes to wander.

Rahal said he'll swim out and kiss the Lady in the Lake and have the post-race victory celebration at Rusty's BBQ in Leeds -- his favorite dining spot in Alabama -- that evening.

Also new to the park is a Ferris wheel from the late Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch that spectators can ride (for a fee). It’s part of the family fun zone, which will feature the INDYCAR Fan Village with interactive displays from series partners.

Click it: INDYCAR Fan Village schedule

Also, the NBC Sports Network pre-race show hosted by Kevin Lee will originate from the INDYCAR Fan Village. Stop by with a sign and wave to the family watching at home.

Related notes:
• Tickets start at $15.
• All parking will be free and on-site Friday and Saturday. There will be complimentary off-site parking located at the Shops of Grand River with a shuttle to the track on Sunday. Premium on-site parking and preferred off-site parking are available for purchase for Sunday.
• IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights drivers will be signing autographs on Saturday.
• Alabama native and NFL legend Bart Starr will be the grand marshal.
Check out the variety of ticket packages HERE – even ones that includes a feast while you watch the on-track action.