Here's one way to pick out Graham Rahal from the 25-competitor lineup for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio this weekend: Look for the driver with the cheetah print gloves and Africa-inspired helmet.

Rahal, from New Albany, Ohio, was seeking to support the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium's latest project -- a 43-acre African safari exhibit focusing on cheetahs and conservation scheduled to open in 2014 -- so the Graham Rahal Foundation partnered with the zoo and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on a special ticket offer for the race weekend and auction of the used gear.
 
"It's something I really want to help," Rahal said.

Graham Rahal Helmet for Mid-OhioHis ties with the zoo date to when he was a newborn -- his godfather is Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and TV personality.

"Taj, a white tiger, is the one we remember the most and that's the story we tell the most about bottle feeding her at the house when we were little," he said. "Suzi Rapp (the zoo's director of animal programs) and my mom (Debi) have known each other forever."

The first 1,000 tickets sold at www.midohio.com/zoo will come with a voucher for free admission to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2012 and a Graham Rahal autographed hero card. All fans that purchase these Zoo Donation tickets will be entered to win a VIP experience at the Columbus Zoo and a meet and greet with Rahal during the race weekend.

Fans who already purchased tickets can call 800-643-6446 to donate $5 to the Foundation. During the event weekend, fans also have the opportunity to donate to the Graham Rahal Foundation at most concession and souvenir stands. Race weekend general parking is free and children 12 and under are also admitted free.

Rahal, who tested July 26 at Mid-Ohio, recorded his third top-five finish of the season July 22 in the Edmonton Indy in the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing car.

"It feels good anytime you can build momentum at any point in the season," said Rahal, who placed fourth. "Particularly for us at this point, of course going to Mid-Ohio, which is my home race, a place that's always kind of stumped me. I've never really had a great result there.  Even more than that, I think the season's been so up and down, it means a lot to us just to get a good finish. 

"Really, I'm happy with the result we had at Edmonton. I feel like it's a result we should be having every weekend, or certainly more frequently than we have been right now. But I think things are looking good ahead."

He qualified sixth for the Mid-Ohio race last year, but finished 24th. In three previous races on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course, his best finish is eighth in 2009 (started fourth) with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Rahal, 23, not long ago won the SCCA Runoffs at the track, and his father is a two-time Indy car race winner there.

"I love the racetrack," he said. "There's a lot of history there in Indy car racing. Certainly with the Rahal family, it goes back to Jim Trueman giving my dad his first opportunity in Indy cars. We've had some really strong runs, but we always have contact. I made a mistake in 2010. We were kind of charging through the field, made contact with Danica (Patrick). Things have not been quite what we want, but hopefully we can turn it around there."

Note: Rahal also has a helmet design contest for the season finale Sept. 15 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., with a template and instructions available at www.GrahamRahalFoundation.org. He'll wear the winning design in the 250-lap race and then auction it at www.Celebrity.eBay.com to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer and SeriousFun Children’s Network.