The roar returns. If you've never been within earshot of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, it's difficult to imagine it. Suffice to say that it's spectacularly loud. I live about five miles north of the 1.8-mile, 14-turn racetrack in downtown and I can hear those zoom-zooms in my living room.

Of course, it's advantageous to get within eyeshot of the Grand Prix to fully appreciate the speed, dazzle and dexterity of the open-wheel Indy racecars.

For the first time, the St. Pete Grand Prix, held April 3-5, is the opening race on the 17-race IndyCar schedule. One of the marquee drivers in the race is Dan Wheldon, an Englishman who resides in the 'burg.

When asked about what drew him most to his adopted hometown, he said. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the weather, but the entire city is very picturesque. St. Pete has everything a big city does, but it has a small town feel to it. There is very little traffic to deal with, it's very easy to get around and people are very nice.

"And, ultimately, this is where my racing career in America started because it's where my first team was based, so that has always made it a special place for me. My family really loves it here."

This article appears in Mar 25-31, 2009.