Tony Kanaan, 50, passes Indy 500 Veteran Test: “It was great”

For the second consecutive year, Kyle Larson gives everything to try to achieve “double”, race in Indy 500 and Coke 600 on May 25. However, if Mother Nature interferes, Tony Kanaan is ready to fill as a substitute for the NASC NASC series of NASC 2021.

Of course, the winner of the Indy 500 2013 withdrew from the driving at the speedway two years ago and is now in charge of the execution of the Indycar operation of Arrow McLaren. So, to be ready to run if he obtains the call, Kanaan did a recycling test of the veterans on day 3 of the Indy 500. This program consisted in driving the car n ° 17 of Larson for 15 turns between 210 and 215 MPH, followed by 15 additional rounds out of 215 mph.

Although Kanaan insisted that he was not interested in racing in Indy 500 for the 23rd time, it was an emotional day for the driver and the director of the 50 -year team.

“It was great, as usual,” said a smiling Kanaan at a subsequent press conference with IMS. “I went down the way of the stands after my warm -up tour. I did an installation tour. I never took this place or driving an Indycar for acquired. After two years, I thought: ‘I had the coolest work in the world for 26 years. I’m just going to have to control myself for 30 laps’.

“After that, (there is not) only one thing to start again. I think that I will have to change houses; I will not have a woman or children. She will divorce me for sure,” he continued with a smile.

No interest in competition

Despite the joke on television after the recycling class that he had a “tickling in his belly”, Kanaan clearly indicated that he had no desire to run again in the Indy 500. His main objective is the head of Arrow McLaren as director of the team, a role he started in February.

“I have a huge responsibility with the team at the moment. I really appreciate what I do. I think I have retired in my own words. I am very intense, as you know. I am fully focused on this team one of the best in Indycar, and on the standards by which everyone judges us. It’s cool, but I’m fine.

“It makes me feel good”

Having kanaan in the car for 30 laps has raised eyebrows around the IMS paddock due to the team’s potential gain, given Kanaan’s vast experience around 2.5 miles. However, Kanaan says that there was no room for an improvement other than acquiring first -hand experience for the quality of the car.

“We tried to be fair and do what Indycar asked. I know we have a good car. Now they are in trouble if they complain. They probably don’t want me in the car,” he said, laughing.

“No, we didn’t do anything. The only adjustment we made was to bring the steering wheel closer to my taste. We really tried to be just in the series. But yes, I have to feel the car. I don’t want to hear it. It feels good (smiling).”

Kanaan also learned what it is to drive an Indycar hybrid, a major subject of discussion this year at Indianapolis 500. However, he said that he did not feel different.

“I really didn’t think it was different. The only answer I can give you is that I took a two -year break, so I had time to reset a few things. I really didn’t think there was something different.”

“By myself, it was going to feel good. I knew we had a decent car. Honestly, it was good to experience the difference in deployment. I think it was talked about. Honestly, I should probably run a little in traffic. I really felt nothing.”

In ten days, Kanaan will only participate in Indy 500, but only if a weather time forces Larson to fly to Charlotte Motor Speedway before the green flag fell to Indianapolis, because it was specified that the Coke 600 is its priority. Recently, Nascar has changed the policy of exemption from the playoffs, which adds serious consequences on missed races.

“I mean, I make the team’s commitments that I have to make as director of the team until they need me on Saturday evening. I think I kept myself in shape. I think I can wake up, change and leave. I will probably be dead after the race. It will take me 15 days to recover because I am old.”

“No, I’m going to respect our commitments. Sponsors and partners coming to this race, it’s a special moment for them. I am the director of the team. I will not think about the race until morning (Sunday). If it rains, I will drink a little more water and leave. But no.”

Photos of Indianapolis 500 – Practice 4