Sports

Race Week Includes 5K, Parade, Dan Wheldon Memorial Unveiling

The annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off with races on Friday, however there are plenty of events going on this week. It's race week in St. Pete!

The 2013 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg welcomes world class drivers and thousands of race fans March 22-24.

Here’s a list of some of the festivities taking place this week from the event's website:

Wednesday, March 20, 11 a.m. to Noon – Career Day with Tony Kanaan and Zach Veach (Science Center of Pinellas (STEIC), 7701 22nd Ave N., St. Petersburg, FL) Tony Kanaan, IZOD IndyCar Series Driver, and Zach Veach, Firestone Indy Lights Driver, will visit the Science Center of Pinellas for Career Day. The drivers will introduce kids to the diverse career opportunities that the field of science can reveal within the realm of motorsports. 

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Thursday, March 21, 10 a.m. – Racing For Kids Driver Hospital Visit (All Children’s Hospital, 501 6th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL) IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay along with Team Pelfrey drivers Spencer Pigot and Petri Suvanto will visit All Children’s Hospital on Thursday, March 21 as part of the Racing For Kids program. The drivers will spend time, take pictures and sign autographs for the children at the hospital. 

Thursday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Green Flag VIP Luncheon (Renaissance Vinoy Golf Club, Sunset Ballroom) Get to know the drivers competing in the 2013 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at the Green Flag VIP Luncheon. Helio Castroneves, 2012 winner of the Honda Grand Prix, and Ryan Hunter-Reay, IZOD IndyCar Series champion, along with nine other drivers representing all series participating will be on hand, as well as representatives from the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Honda, City of St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.To RSVP: Kathleen Stelmach | (727) 698-9520 | kathleen@torchiacom.com

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Thursday, March 21, 5:30 p.m. - Dan Wheldon Memorial & Victory Circle Unveiling (Bayside Drive behind Turn 10, accessible through Mahaffey Theater plaza) Representatives from the City of St. Petersburg, Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, American Honda and INDYCAR will unveil the Dan Wheldon memorial and Victory Circle monument in the presence of drivers from the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m. - Festival of States Parade (Downtown St. Petersburg) The annual Festival of States Parade will make its way through the streets of downtown St. Petersburg and come to a conclusion at Vinoy Park.

Friday, March 22, 6:15 p.m. – Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Run, Walk ‘N Wheel-a-thon (Vinoy Park, downtown St. Petersburg) The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and PBA/Suncoast Law Enforcement Charities are set to host the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Run, Walk ‘N Wheel-a-thon. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.imathlete.com/events/EventOverview.aspx?fEID=14774 

Sunday, March 24, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Official IndyCar Driver After Party (Cassis American Brasserie 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL) IZOD IndyCar Series driver and St. Petersburg resident Sebastien Bourdais is hosting the official Honda Grand Prix after party at Cassis. Admission is open to all hard card holders. Come party with drivers and pit crews!

For more information, including ticket reservations and prices, visit GPStPete.com.

The City of St. Petersburg has put together everything you need to know about parking and transportation for the event on their website.

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