In title battle, Rahal calls upon inspiration

By Dave Lewandowski | Published: Jul 30, 2015

Graham Rahal

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- An ardent fan of The Ohio State University athletic programs, Graham Rahal will show his support for the Buckeyes on the racetrack this weekend in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver, who enters the 90-lap race on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course in second place in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship standings, requested Polen Designs to create an Ohio State football-themed helmet design. It features Rahal's car number 15 and 18 buckeye leaves on the rear -- representing his podium finishes in Indy car competition.

Rahal, a native of New Albany, Ohio, also has special scarlet and gray driving gloves to complete the ensemble honoring the reigning national collegiate football champions.

“I had this concept that, with Ohio State having won the national championship and us being in the championship battle here, it would be fun to come home and do something I haven't done before," said Rahal, who visited with current and former Ohio State football players a few weeks ago on the Columbus campus.

Drink up and support research

Rahal formally unveiled the special helmet during a "meet and eat" fan event July 30 at the Steak 'n Shake at Easton Town Center in Columbus. Steak 'n Shake is the primary sponsor this weekend of the No. 15 Honda.

Steak ‘n Shake will donate $1 from every Graham Rahal milkshake (chocolate ice cream mixed with M&Ms) sold in Ohio in August to the Graham Rahal Foundation to benefit FightSMA (spinal muscular atrophy) and support research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

"Hopefully everybody will go back and spend the three or four bucks it costs to get a shake and have it ultimately go to a good cause," he said.