Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah "Tony" Kanaan Filho (born 31 December 1974), nicknamed ''TK,'' is a Brazilian racing driver. He is best known as an Indy car driver, racing in Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) from 1998 to 2002, and the IndyCar Series from 2002 to 2023. He won the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and was the 2004 IndyCar Series champion. Kanaan competes in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series, driving the No. 6 Toyota Corolla E210 for Full Time Bassani.
Career
Formula car racing
Formula Europa Boxer
Kanaan began competing in Formula Europa Boxer for the 1994 season. Kanaan drove for Cram Competition in a Tatuus-Alfa Romeo. Kanaan won the series championship on the strength of 5 race wins.
Italian Formula Three
Kanaan competed in Italian Formula Three in 1995 for Tatuus in a Dallara 395-Opel. Kanaan won a race and secured 9 podiums to win 111 points, ranking 5th.
Indy Lights series
Kanaan began to compete in Indy Lights in 1996 for Tasman Motorsports, returning for the 1997season.
Championship Auto Racing Teams
Kanaan began to compete in CART in 1998 for Tasman Motorsports, finishing out the season ranked ninth in points, with 92. Kanaan won the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year Award. In 1999, he signed to drive for Forsythe, and finished the season ranked 11th.
In 2000, Kanaan moved to Mo Nunn Racing. His best results were a trio of eighth-place finishes at the Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix at Nazareth Speedway, the Motorola 220 at Road America and the Honda Indy 300 on the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit. He finished the season ranked 19th.
Kanaan stayed with Mo Nunn Racing for the 2001 season. He got his first podium since winning at Michigan in 1999. Kanaan later qualified on the pole position at the Target Grand Prix at Chicago Motor Speedway. He finished the season ranked ninth.
In 2002, Kanaan's highlight through the first three races of the season was a second-place start at the Bridgestone Potenza 500 at Twin Ring Motegi. Kanaan's best finish in these races was 15th at Motegi. At the Miller Lite 250 at the Milwaukee Mile, Kanaan and Mo Nunn Racing switched chassis types to the Lola B02/00. Kanaan qualified on the pole position at both the Grand Prix Americas at Bayfront Park and The 500 Presented by Toyota at California Speedway, and finished third at both the Molson Indy Vancouver on the Streets of Vancouver and the Molson Indy Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Kanaan finished the season in 12th.
IndyCar series
In 2002, Kanaan and Mo Nunn Racing competed in the Indy Racing League (IRL), making a one-off entry into the Indianapolis 500. Kanaan was the highest-starting rookie in the race, qualifying in fifth-place. During the race, Kanaan led for 23 laps, when on lap 90 both Jimmy Vasser and Bruno Junqueira had mechanical problems, slowing on the track. An oil leak on the track was not caught by IRL officials and Kanaan crashed, finishing 28th.
In 2003, Kanaan joined IRL full-time, signing with Andretti Green Racing. Kanaan won the Purex Dial Indy 200 after leading for 79 laps. The victory moved Kanaan to first in the point standings. In the Indianapolis 500 finished third behind Gil de Ferran and Hélio Castroneves. Kanaan finished the season ranked fourth.
In 2004 Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing to drive the No. 11 7-Eleven Dallara IR03-Ilmor-Honda Indy V8 HI4R. He won the Copper World Indy 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. Kanaan won the Bombardier 500 at Texas Motor Speedway and the Firestone Indy 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. Kanaan completed all 3,305 laps during the season. His 618 points secured the championship.
For 2005, Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing in the No. 11 7-Eleven-sponsored Dallara IR05-Ilmor-Honda Indy V8 HI4R.
Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing in the No. 11 7-Eleven-sponsored Dallara IR05-Ilmor-Honda Indy V8 HI4R in 2006. Kanaan's only win was at the ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt 225 at the Milwaukee Mile. On 28 May, Kanaan's friend Rubens Barrichello wore Kanaan's helmet livery during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and Kanaan wore Barrichello's helmet during the Indianapolis 500. The pair created a charity offering financial and technical aid to institutions within the voluntary sector, the Barrichello Kanaan Institute. Kanaan had an issue with another friends and former teammate from his time at Tasman Motorsports, Hélio Castroneves. Kanaan and Castroneves had developed an intense rivalry that resulted in hard feelings. Castroneves accused Kanaan of costing him the 2006 series championship by racing him too hard for position in the final race. Kanaan countered that he was not paid to let other people pass him for the position. Kanaan finished 6th with 384 points.
Kanaan had his winningest season during 2007 in the No. 11 7-Eleven-sponsored Dallara IR5-Honda Indy V8 HI7R for Andretti Green Racing. Kanaan won the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. At the Indianapolis 500 Kanaan won the Scott Brayton Award for showing the spirit of the late Scott Brayton, who was killed while practicing for the 1996 Indianapolis 500. After a complicated race with cautions and a temporary stop, Kanaan was often referred to, along with team owner Michael Andretti, as one of the best drivers never to win the Indianapolis 500. Kanaan won the ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt 225. Kanaan won again at the Firestone Indy 400. Kanaan dominated the following race, the Meijer Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Kanaan's fifth win came at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix. Kanaan infamously got into a fight with Hornish that eventually involved Michael Andretti and 15 to 20 others. Despite winning a season-high number of races (5) Kanaan finished 3rd in points, behind Franchitti and Dixon.
In 2008 Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing in the No. 11 7-Eleven Dallara IR5-Honda Indy V8 HI7R. Kanaan rose above the controversy to finish 3rd in points with 513 points.
Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing for 2009 in the No. 11 7-Eleven Dallara IR5-Honda Indy V8 HI7R. Kanaan suffered bruised ribs in Indy 500. Despite the injuries, Kanaan did not miss any races. Kanaan finished 6th in points with 386 points.
In 2010 Kanaan returned to drive the No. 11 7-Eleven Dallara IR5-Honda Indy V8 HI7R. In October Kanaan was released from his contract with Andretti after 7-Eleven announced it would not return as Kanaan's primary sponsor. Kanaan won 14 races and 1 championship in 8 years with Andretti.
Kanaan then drove for KV Racing Technology-Lotus, owned by Kanaan's former rival Jimmy Vasser, in the No. 82 GEICO/Lotus Cars Dallara IR5-Honda Indy V8 HI7R in a car based on the Lotus 38-Ford V8. Kanaan was involved in a spectacular crash at the MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Andretti and Tomas Scheckter that had Kanaan flip down the track's back straightaway and hit a portable toilet located next to the track, finishing 22nd. Kanaan finished ranked fifth in points with 366 points.
Kanaan returned with KV Racing Technology in 2012 to drive the No. 11 GEICO/Mouser Electronics-sponsored Dallara DW12-Ilmor-Chevrolet Indy V6. Kanaan finished 2nd in the oval standings with 148 points.
In 2013 Kanaan returned with KV Racing Technology in the No. 11 Hydroxycut Dallara DW12-Ilmor-Chevrolet Indy V6. At the Indianapolis 500 Kanaan qualified in 12th place. Kanaan moved up through the field and battled for the lead with Ed Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti. On lap 197 Kanaan passed Hunter-Reay for the lead on a restart for a crash by Graham Rahal with Carlos Muñoz, Hunter-Reay and Andretti behind. The race finished under caution for the fourth consecutive year. Kanaan won at an average speed of 187.433 miles per hour, breaking the record set by Arie Luyendyk in the 1990 race. The race also set the record for the number of lead changes in the race with 68, breaking the previous record of 34. Kanaan later said "I was known for not winning and now I am known for winning. The last lap was the longest lap of my life. I get to put my ugly face on that trophy." Kanaan tied Sam Hanks as the most experienced driver to win, in their twelfth start. Kanaan finished 11th with 397 points, his first full-time IndyCar season to finish out of the top 10 in points. Kanaan won the series' Most Popular Driver award.
In 2014 Kannaan drove for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in the No. 10 Target Dallara DW12-Ilmor-Chevrolet Indy V6. Kanaan finished 7th in points with 544 points his best since the 2011 season.
In 2015 Kanaan began to drive the No. 10 NTT Data Chevy for Ganassi. In 2017 Kanaan had his worst and last season in the No.10 NNT Data Chevy for Ganassi. In 2018 Kanaan drove the No.14 ABC Supply Chevy for A. J. Foyt Racing.. In 2018 and 2019 he finished no better than 15th. He stated that the 2020 season would be his last, running only a five-race schedule. In 2021 he returned to Chip Ganassi Racing on a partial schedule, driving the No. 48 Dallara Honda on oval courses.
Sports car racing
United States Road Racing Championship
Kanaan competed in the Sports Car Club of America United States Road Racing Championship in 1998. He competed only at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Kanaan drove the No. 4 Tom Gloy Racing Ford Mustang Cobra. Kanaan finished 19th in points in the GT1 class with 35 points.
American Le Mans Series
Kanaan competed in the American Le Mans Series in 2007 in the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura Courage ARX-01a-Acura AL7R 3.4L V8 for Andretti Green Racing in the LMP2 class. Bryan Herta and Dario Franchitti shared driving with Kanaan at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring and won its class, finishing 2nd overall. Kanaan came 17th with 39 points.
Kanaan returned in 2008 in the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01b-Acura AL7R 3.4 L V8 for Andretti Green Racing. Kanaan drove at the Monterey Sports Car Championships. The car started 5th in class and won,finishing 3rd overall. Kanaan finished 22nd in the LMP2 standings.
Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series
Kanaan first competed in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series in 2013. Kanaan finished 58th in the DP standings with 22 points and 138th in the GT standings with 16 points.
Tudor United SportsCar Championship
He first competed in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship for Chip Ganassi Racing in the No. 02 Riley MkXXVI-Ford EcoBoost 3.5L Turbo V6 in the P class. Kanaan came 38th with 50 points in the P class.
24 Hours of Le Mans
Kanaan made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in 2017, in the #68 Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA Ford GT
Formula Nippon
Kanaan competed in Formula Nippon in 2007 for Kanaan Racing in the No. 27 Bridgestone Potenza Lola FN06-Mugen Honda HF386E. Kanaan competed only in the Suzuka Circuit as a special entrant, finishing in 6th place.
Prelude to the Dream
In 2010 Tony Stewart offered the driver who won the 2010 Indianapolis 500 a chance to drive in his charity race, the Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway Kanaan participated after Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti opted out. Kanaan drove the No. 11 7-Eleven Cadillac for GRT Race Cars in a car based on his Andretti Autosport car from 2003 to 2010. The race had drivers competing on teams, each representing a different children's hospital. Kanaan represented the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He finished 24th.
Kanaan returned in 2011 with GRT Race Cars in the No. 82 GEICO/Lotus Cars/Honda. He represented the Children's Medical Center.
In 2012 Kanaan returned to drive the No. 11 GEICO/Mouser Electronics/Itaipava/Braskem Chevrolet for GRT Race Cars. He finished 22nd.
Touring car and stock car racing
International Touring Car Championship
In 1996, Kanaan drove a Opel Calibra at the Interlagos round of the International Touring Car Championship.
Stock Car Brasil
In 2012 Kanaan began to compete in Stock Car Brasil in the No. 100 Bassani Racing Peugeot 408 at Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet, finishing 19th. At the next race, the Stock Car Corrida do Milhão, he finished 31st place, retiring after 8 laps.
The driver raced full-time in the 2021 season, driving a Toyota Corolla for Full Time Bassani.
Superstar Racing Experience
In 2021, Kanaan entered four races of the Superstar Racing Experience, an all-star stock car racing series. His best results were 7th at Stafford and Eldora.
Personal life
Kanaan is of Lebanese heritage. He is a member of the "brat pack", a group of CART drivers who were close friends off the track, along with Dario Franchitti, Max Papis and the late Greg Moore.
Kanaan is a triathlete. He credits triathlon training for his ability to stay in shape for driving. Kanaan completed half Ironman competitions (1.2-mile swim/56-mile bike/13.1-mile run) and competed in the Ironman World Championships (2.4-mile swim/112-mile bike/26.2-mile run) in 2011 with a time of 12:52:40. Kanaan married twice and has four children.
Media appearances
Film and television
Kanaan appears in the 2001 film Driven as himself in a scene among drivers preparing for the final race of the season (and film) at Detroit (likely Belle Isle State Park). The racing series used for the film is the FedEx CART Championship Series, which Kanaan raced in at the time for Mo Nunn Racing.
The first episode of the television series IndyCar 36 was about Kanaan's weekend leading up to the 2012 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the Streets of St. Petersburg.
Kanaan appeared in Celebrity Family Feud with other drivers
Racing record
American open–wheel racing results
(key)
Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires
CART World Series
IndyCar Series
(key)
1 Run on same day.
2 The Las Vegas Indy 300 was abandoned after Dan Wheldon died from injuries sustained in a 15-car crash on lap 11.
Indianapolis 500
* Kanaan qualified 32nd in a backup car but decided to switch back to his primary car for the race. This forced him to start from the 33rd position on the grid.
24 Hours of Daytona results
Complete American Le Mans Series results
Complete Formula Nippon results
† Ineligible for championship points.
Complete Stock Car Pro Series results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
† Driver ineligible for championship points.
* Season still in progress.
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
24 Hours of Le Mans results
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics'' indicate fastest lap)
Superstar Racing Experience
(key) * – Most laps led. 1 – Heat 1 winner. 2 – Heat 2 winner.
Season still in progress
Shared points with Hailie Deegan
Notes
References
External links
IndyCar Driver Page
IndyCar 36: Tony Kanaan – IndyCar documentary
1974 births
Living people
Brazilian racing drivers
Lebanese racing drivers
Brazilian Champ Car drivers
IndyCar Series champions
IndyCar Series drivers
Indianapolis 500 drivers
Indianapolis 500 polesitters
Indy Lights champions
Indy Lights drivers
Formula Nippon drivers
Italian Formula Three Championship drivers
EFDA Nations Cup drivers
Stock Car Brasil drivers
Brazilian people of Lebanese descent
Brazilian IndyCar Series drivers
Brazilian people of Arab descent
Sportspeople from Salvador, Bahia
American Le Mans Series drivers
Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
24 Hours of Daytona drivers
Rolex Sports Car Series drivers
Indianapolis 500 winners
Brazilian WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers
24 Hours of Le Mans drivers
American Ninja Warrior contestants
Sportspeople of Lebanese descent
Cram Competition drivers
Tasman Motorsports drivers
Forsythe Racing drivers
Mo Nunn Racing drivers
Andretti Autosport drivers
KV Racing Technology drivers
Chip Ganassi Racing drivers
A. J. Foyt Enterprises drivers
Multimatic Motorsports drivers
Team Joest drivers
Arrow McLaren SP drivers