Mikhail Aleshin, Will Power and Takuma Sato did some heavy lifting June 9 in support of the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston presented by the Greater Houston Honda Dealers.

The Verizon IndyCar Series drivers got behind the wheel of forklifts to move concrete barriers into place on pit lane as construction of the 1.7-mile, 10-turn MD Anderson Cancer Center Speedway at Reliant Park, which began in earnest last week for the twin 90-lap races June 28-29, continues with assembly of grandstands and pedestrian bridges.

Martyn Thake, who is overseeing the course construction, said the area of the racetrack at Turn 1 have been resurfaced and grandstands have been moved back from the catch fencing.

"It's a long and complicated process. Basically, we build a city within a city," Thake said, noting that the venue has its own power and sanitation and medical systems.

The weekend includes the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. Tickets are available at www.GrandPrixHouston.com.