Bobby Rahal has been named grand marshal of the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 5.

“We are honored to have Bobby Rahal as the grand marshal of the 2012 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “Bobby has truly been one of Mid-Ohio’s greatest ambassadors and it’s great that we can acknowledge his efforts over the years with this honor.”

Rahal, born in Medina, Ohio, has won several races at Mid-Ohio, including Indy car events in 1985 and '86 (the same year he won the Indianapolis 500 for TrueSports, the previous owners of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course).

“I feel such a connection to Mid-Ohio. I have so many great memories between seeing some great racing to winning there myself to being part of TrueSports and seeing Jim Trueman’s vision of a spectator-friendly track come to life and Jim’s mark on the track is still present today,” Rahal said. “I have always gotten such great support from the fans there and feel a big connection to the place so it is an honor to have the chance to serve as grand marshal of this event.”

Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, will have Takuma Sato representing the team in the Aug. 5 race. His son, Graham, will be racing the No. 38 Service Central Chip Gannassi Racing car.