Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg drawing crowds this weekend

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has roared into town this weekend.

It marks the start of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season for the second year in a row, and the eighth year of racing on the streets of St. Petersburg.

The course runs on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront circuit that includes a combination of adjacent downtown streets circling Pioneer Park, the Progress Energy Center for the Arts, the Salvador Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlook the bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina.

The event will serve as home race to a number of Florida residents including Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves, who is the only two time winner in St. Petersburg.

Other drivers to compete include former winners Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Ryan Briscoe and Graham Rahal, along with fierce competitors Marco Andretti and Scott Dixon, among others.

Tickets for the event range in price from $20 to $125. Paddock passes are also available starting at $40 for an adult single day pass. Reduced rate tickets are offered to juniors, ages 12 and under, in certain ticket categories.

Tickets can be purchased online www.gpstpete.com or by phone at 877-283-5385.