Graham Rahal welcomed Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller into his world last September. On April 17, the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver will spend some time on the ice.
A bonus for Rahal – the game at Honda Center is against his favorite NHL team, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Rahal, along with the street-legal two-seat IndyCar, will be on the ice during intermission following the second period to give away a ride in the “Fastest Seat in Sports” that leads the field on warm-up laps before the green flag of races -- including the April 21 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Hiller, who has a 2.50 goals-against average in 22 starts for the playoff-bound Ducks, attended the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season finale at Auto Club Speedway on Sept. 15. After getting a ride in a two-seater on the 2-mile oval with Mario Andretti driving, he caught up with Rahal in the garage.
Everyone can register for a chance to ride in the “Fastest Seat in Sports” at www.shophonda.com.
Events for everyone this week at Long Beach
Reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay and Andretti Autosport teammate E.J. Viso will participate in pit stop demonstrations and greet fans April 18 during the “Tecate Light Thursday Thunder on Pine.”
The free event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Pine and Broadway and also includes live music, freestyle motocross jumpers, a classic car show, an exhibition roller derby match and the finals of the Tecate Light Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach pageant.
On April 19, acclaimed Mexican bands Moenia and Moderatto will perform on the Fiesta Friday stage. Bret Michaels headlines the Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar concert April 20.
Of note
Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing driver Charlie Kimball will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Diego Padres on April 17 at Dodger Stadium. ... Olympic swimming gold medalist and Skip Barber Racing School INDYCAR Academy competitor Tyler Clary won the 200-meter fly, 400-meter IM and 200-meter backstroke in the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Ariz., over the weekend. He’ll compete in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on April 20 at Long Beach. ... Mike Conway tuned up for his drive at Long Beach with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing by competing in an LMP2 entry in the April 14 World Endurance Challenge race at Silverstone. Conway won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2011.