Rahal plans to cheer Buckeyes to Big Ten title

If the Ohio State Buckeyes make it to the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena, Calif., next month, IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal will be along for the ride.

Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda

Photo by: Chris Owens

"For me it's as good as it gets," said Rahal, who resides in Indianapolis. "Obviously, I'm a huge Buckeyes fans and I do travel home to Columbus often to see games, but the fact they are right here for me is more than ideal. It's a quiet weekend away from racing, so that allows me to have some buddies over and to hang out and cheer on the Buckeyes. It's not something I do often, so it will be a fun weekend."

Rahal admires Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and the accomplishment of its current 24-game winning streak, adding that he can take what he sees on the football field and relate it to the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team.

"If Ohio State has a weak link or someone is struggling, everyone else has to help him improve," he said. "That's the same thing the race team goes through. If someone is struggling, we have to help out to work as team and improve as a team. In many ways, the sports are similar. Like any sport, the same logistics go into everything we do. The athletic director is like the team owner. The head coach is like our team manager. You certainly appreciate what they are doing."

The 2014 BCS Championship game, a few days after his 25th birthday, is at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

"If they're there, I will be there," Rahal said. "I spend a lot time in California these days. For me, it would be pretty cool. I saw them win a championship in my lifetime but I wasn't there. I didn't even get to watch on TV because I was in an airport. In case it never happens again, I can't miss it."

INDYCAR