Notes: Jackson wants car; he just has to fit in it

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Does Bo know Indy car racing?

The 1985 Heisman Trophy winner and professional two-sport athlete joked that an Indy car has been on his Christmas list, but he had to attend the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama because it’s yet to be under the Christmas tree.

Jackson, a Birmingham native, was the grand marshal of the fourth IZOD IndyCar Series race at Barber Motorsports Park.

“I flew with the Blue Angels. They said driving one of these things is like that,” he told Justin Wilson, who gave Jackson a brief tour of the No. 19 Boy Scouts of America car in the Dale Coyne Racing prep area.

Wilson will join Jackson’s Bo Bikes Bama 2 ride on April 27 to raise funds for individuals and towns affected by the 2011 Alabama tornadoes. Wilson, an avid cyclist, carried the Bo Bikes Bama 2 event logo on the engine cover for the race.

“It’s great to meet such a legendary athlete like Bo,” Wilson said. “He’s such a down to earth person to meet. I’m looking forward to coming back in a few weeks for the Bo Bikes Bama event. It should be a good fun and for such good cause here in Alabama.”

Jackson gave the command to start engines and rode in the “Fastest Seat in Sports” two-seater driven by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Arie Luyendyk that led the field on the pace laps before the green flag of the 90-lap race on the 2.48-mile, 17-turn course.

“The last time I tried to get into one (for a Nike commercial), they had to grease me up to get in,” Jackson quipped.

Spectators get into the action in the ‘H Block’

The “H Block” – the Honda Fan Section – was part of the second consecutive IZOD IndyCar Series race of the season.

At Barber Motorsports Park, fans who purchased the special package sat in a designated grandstand and received exclusive benefits, including waving large photo cut-outs of Honda driver heads as they drove past.

“Honda's passion for fun, well- engineered, cars and engines has earned us a winning reputation," said T.E. McHale, motorsports manager for American Honda.

Of note

Event promoter ZOOM Motorsports announced that 57,963 ticket-holders -- the largest race day attendance in the four years of the event -- were at the venue. ... Will Power has led in all four of his starts at Barber Motorsports Park. ... Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Leo Thorsness was a guest speaker during Panther Racing’s “Operation: Hire Our Guard” pre-race presentation. … Miss Alabama Ana Laura Bryan sang the national anthem.