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

For the second year in a row, Kyle Larson is giving it his all to try to achieve “The Double,” racing in the Indy 500 and the Coke 600 on May 25. However, if Mother Nature interferes, Tony Kanaan is prepared to fill in as a substitute for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

Of course, the 2013 Indy 500 winner retired from driving at the Speedway two years ago, and is now in charge of running Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar operation. So, in order to be ready to race if he gets the call, Kanaan took a veteran refresher test on Day 3 of Indy 500 practice. This program consisted of driving Larson’s #17 car for 15 laps between 210 and 215 mph, followed by 15 more laps over 215 mph.

Although Kanaan insisted he had no interest in racing in the Indy 500 for the 23rd time, it was an emotional day for the 50-year-old driver and team principal.

“It was awesome, as usual,” a smiling Kanaan said at a later press conference at IMS. “I came down pit lane after my warm-up lap. I did an installation lap. I never took this place or driving an IndyCar for granted. After two years, I thought, ‘I had the coolest job in the world for 26 years. I’m just going to have to control myself for 30 laps’.

“After that, [there’s] not one thing to do it again. I think I’ll have to change homes; I won’t have a wife or kids. She’ll divorce me for sure,” he continued with a smile.

No interest in competing

Despite joking on TV after the refresher course that he had a “tickle in his belly,” Kanaan made it clear that he has no desire to race in the Indy 500 again. His main focus is leading Arrow McLaren as team principal, a role he started in February.

“I have a huge responsibility with the team right now. I’m really enjoying what I’m doing. I think I did retire on my own terms. I’m very intense, as you know. I’m fully focused on making this team one of the best in IndyCar, and on the standards by which everyone judges us. It was cool, but I’m okay. I was joking. I don’t need to go back in the race car,” he said.

“It feels good to me”

Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

Having Kanaan in the car for 30 laps raised some eyebrows around the IMS paddock because of the potential gain for the team, given Kanaan’s vast experience around the 2.5-mile oval. However, Kanaan says there was no room for improvement other than getting some firsthand experience for how good the car is.

“We tried to be fair and do what IndyCar asked. I know we have a good car. Now, they’re in trouble if they complain. They probably didn’t want me in the car,” he said with a laugh.

“No, we didn’t really do anything. The only adjustment we made was moving the steering wheel a little closer for my liking. We really tried to be fair to the series. But yeah, I got to feel the car. I don’t want to hear it. It feels good to me (smiling).”

Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

Kanaan also learned what it feels like to drive an IndyCar hybrid, a major talking point this year at the Indianapolis 500. However, he claimed that it didn’t feel any different.

“I truly didn’t think it was any 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 truly didn’t think there was anything different.”

“By myself, it was going to feel good. I knew we had a decent car. Honestly, it felt good to experience the difference in deployment. I think it’s been talked about. Honestly, I probably had to run in traffic a little bit. I truly didn’t feel anything.”

In ten days, Kanaan will only take part in the Indy 500, but only if a weather delay forces Larson to fly to Charlotte Motor Speedway before the green flag drops at Indianapolis, as it was made clear that the Coke 600 is his priority. Recently, NASCAR changed the playoff waiver policy, which adds serious consequences for missed races.

“I mean, I’m doing the team commitments that I have to do as the team principal until they need me on Saturday night. I think I kept myself in shape. I think I can wake up, switch, and go. I’ll probably be dead after the race. It will take me 15 days to recover because I’m old.”

“No, I’ll fulfill our commitments. The sponsors and partners coming to this race, it’s a special moment for them. I’m the team principal. I won’t think about the race until (Sunday) morning. If it’s raining, I’ll drink a little more water and go. But no.”

Photos from Indianapolis 500 – Practice 4