50-year-old Tony Kanaan passes Indy 500 veteran test: “It was awesome”

For the second yr in a row, Kyle Larson is giving it his all to attempt to obtain “The Double,” racing within the Indy 500 and the Coke 600 on Could 25. Nonetheless, if Mom Nature interferes, Tony Kanaan is ready to fill in as an alternative to the 2021 NASCAR Cup Sequence champion.

After all, the 2013 Indy 500 winner retired from driving on the Speedway two years in the past, and is now in control of working Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar operation. So, in an effort to be able to race if he will get the decision, Kanaan took a veteran refresher take a look at on Day 3 of Indy 500 apply. This program consisted of driving Larson’s #17 automotive for 15 laps between 210 and 215 mph, adopted by 15 extra laps over 215 mph.

Though Kanaan insisted he had little interest in racing within the Indy 500 for the twenty third time, it was an emotional day for the 50-year-old driver and workforce principal.

“It was superior, as standard,” a smiling Kanaan mentioned at a later press convention at IMS. “I got here down pit lane after my warm-up lap. I did an set up lap. I by no means took this place or driving an IndyCar with no consideration. After two years, I believed, ‘I had the good job on the earth for 26 years. I am simply going to have to regulate myself for 30 laps’.

“After that, [there’s] not one factor to do it once more. I believe I am going to have to vary houses; I will not have a spouse or children. She’ll divorce me for certain,” he continued with a smile.

No real interest in competing

Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren

Photograph by: Penske Leisure

Regardless of joking on TV after the refresher course that he had a “tickle in his stomach,” Kanaan made it clear that he has no want to race within the Indy 500 once more. His principal focus is main Arrow McLaren as workforce principal, a job he began in February.

“I’ve an enormous duty with the workforce proper now. I am actually having fun with what I am doing. I believe I did retire alone phrases. I am very intense, as . I am absolutely centered on making this workforce probably the greatest in IndyCar, and on the requirements by which everybody judges us. It was cool, however I am okay. I used to be joking. I do not want to return within the race automotive,” he mentioned.

“It feels good to me”

Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren

Photograph by: Penske Leisure

Having Kanaan within the automotive for 30 laps raised some eyebrows across the IMS paddock due to the potential acquire for the workforce, given Kanaan’s huge expertise across the 2.5-mile oval. Nonetheless, Kanaan says there was no room for enchancment apart from getting some firsthand expertise for the way good the automotive is.

“We tried to be truthful and do what IndyCar requested. I do know we have now a great automotive. Now, they’re in hassle in the event that they complain. They in all probability did not need me within the automotive,” he mentioned with fun.

“No, we did not actually do something. The one adjustment we made was transferring the steering wheel a bit nearer for my liking. We actually tried to be truthful to the collection. However yeah, I bought to really feel the automotive. I do not wish to hear it. It feels good to me (smiling).”

Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren

Photograph by: Penske Leisure

Kanaan additionally discovered what it feels prefer to drive an IndyCar hybrid, a significant speaking level this yr on the Indianapolis 500. Nonetheless, he claimed that it didn’t really feel any completely different.

“I really did not suppose it was any completely different. The one reply I may give you is that I took a two-year break, so I had time to reset a number of issues. I really did not suppose there was something completely different.”

“On my own, it was going to really feel good. I knew we had an honest automotive. Truthfully, it felt good to expertise the distinction in deployment. I believe it has been talked about. Truthfully, I in all probability needed to run in visitors a bit bit. I really did not really feel something.”

In ten days, Kanaan will solely participate within the Indy 500, however provided that a climate delay forces Larson to fly to Charlotte Motor Speedway earlier than the inexperienced flag drops at Indianapolis, because it was made clear that the Coke 600 is his precedence. Just lately, NASCAR modified the playoff waiver coverage, which provides severe penalties for missed races.

“I imply, I am doing the workforce commitments that I’ve to do because the workforce principal till they want me on Saturday night time. I believe I stored myself in form. I believe I can get up, swap, and go. I am going to in all probability be lifeless after the race. It’s going to take me 15 days to recuperate as a result of I am outdated.”

“No, I am going to fulfill our commitments. The sponsors and companions coming to this race, it is a particular second for them. I am the workforce principal. I will not take into consideration the race till (Sunday) morning. If it is raining, I am going to drink a bit extra water and go. However no.”