Arrow McLaren driver and NTT INDYCAR SERIES veteran Tony Kanaan in the No.66 SmartStop Chevrolet says that he has an overwhelming sense of gratitude heading into this weekend’s 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he will start the race from ninth place with a four-lap average of 233.076MPH.
Speaking to Paddock Eye during a media availability call on Monday evening, Kanaan said that wants to try and put on the best show possible for kids and the fans on Sunday.
No matter where I finish on Sunday, I will be celebrating with 70 of my fans who are travelling from Brazil, with my team, and I am just going to embrace it and enjoy the moment. The result will be the icing on top of the cake but that is not what I am here for only. We are going to cry, laugh and hug and we are going to go on.
We asked him about the highlight of his career, and he said:
It is so hard to pick one moment. We had so many here from the Dan Wheldon days and the pranks and the four guys that were really tight, he is referring to himself, Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon, and Bryan Herta) The four guys, we were really tight, this team, (Arrow McLaren) really reminds me of that. Which is kind of crazy because we lived that and that and we aren’t going to have that and here we are.
For my last race, I am with this team and we are reviving this all again. The thing I will take out of this is the friendships I have made out of this. We beat the hell out of each other and walk away friends at the end of the day.
Kanaan also spoke to Paddock Eye about Dr Terry Trammell who, along with Dr Stephen Olvey has played an integral part in the safety enhancements that were brought into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and although Terry doesn’t travel to races as much now, TK said that remains in regular contact with him.