Tony Kanaan, the 2004 IndyAutomotive Series Champion and 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner, has introduced his plans to retire from IndyAutomotive. The 48-year-old Brazilian, who made his top-level American open-wheel debut in 1998, will finish his 24-year profession after the Indianapolis 500 this May.
Tony Kanaan (additionally identified to followers as “TK”) emphatically started his profession by profitable CART Rookie of the Year honors in 1998 and ending ninth within the general standings. The closest rival rookie to Kanaan in factors was compatriot and future four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. Like Castroneves, Kanaan received over followers together with his jovial character out of the automotive and his relentless nature on monitor. He is never ever seen earlier than a race not smiling. He’s not simply pleased to be there. He’s ecstatic.
Kanaan joined Andretti Green Racing in 2003 because the crew moved from CART to the Indy Racing League. This was arguably probably the most profitable interval of Kanaan’s profession as he received the sequence’ championship in 2004 and by no means completed decrease than sixth within the standings. However, he simply couldn’t win IndyAutomotive’s most prestigious occasion. During his final yr at Andretti in 2010, he barely made the five hundred’s area of 33 automobiles and certified final after crashing twice. He fought all the best way to second place in a determined effort to win the race on gasoline technique, however he couldn’t get a warning when he wanted it most.
In 2013, Kanaan lastly received the Indianapolis 500 in his twelfth try. In a manic affair with numerous passes for the lead, he took first place with three laps to go as Dario Franchitti crashed out of the race. The warning secured the long-awaited victory for Kanaan and his crew for that entry, KV Racing’s, first IndyAutomotive win in 5 years. He discovered his means again to front-running equipment with Chip Ganassi Racing the subsequent yr, together with his most up-to-date win being the 2014 season finale at Auto Club Speedway.
Kanaan left Ganassi for AJ Foyt Enterprises in 2018, the place he initially deliberate to retire. He was slated to have a fan appreciation swan tune throughout the 2020 season branded as his “Last Lap.” However, the pandemic meant that many of the yr was run with out followers. Kanaan felt it wouldn’t have been the easiest way to go away the crowds who’ve cheered him on for many years. He returned to Ganassi on a part-time foundation within the final two seasons.
In a video he posted on Twitter, he mentioned, “It’s been a wonderful journey, but it’s not done yet. I will still have the pleasure to drive through the bricks one more time. Thank you all, and I’ll see you on Race Day.” For the 2023 season, Tony Kanaan will likely be competing in only one IndyAutomotive race, the Indianapolis 500. Today’s announcement confirmed rumors that started when McLaren introduced that NASCAR driver Kyle Larson can be the crew’s 4th Indy 500 entry in 2024.
Tony Kanaan is branding his 2023 Indianapolis 500 run as his “Capitulo Final,” Portuguese for “Final Chapter.” I’m certain that I will likely be one amongst tens of millions of followers who hope “TK” goes out on a excessive after such a outstanding profession.
Source: jalopnik.com