Tony Kanaan Finally Secures Indianapolis 500 Crown
Tony Kanaan has finally managed to secure his maiden Indianapolis 500 victory, after the thrilling 97th running of the legendary event around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Brazilian sensation was followed home by impressive rookie Carlos Munoz, with reigning Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay 3rd.
The 200-lap race began under cloudy skies over the 2.5-mile oval, with Ed Carpenter leading the 33-car field into Turn 1 after securing only his second pole position of his career for the event. As the opening lap of the race ensued, Marco Andretti mastered an overtaking maneuver on Carlos Munoz for 2nd position. The first full course caution was caused after only four laps, when JR Hildebrand lost control of his Panther Racing machine and spun into the retaining barrier on the exit of Turn 1.
JR Hildebrand caused the first caution on Lap 4.
Under safety car conditions, James Jakes, Simona de Silvestro, Graham Rahal, A.J. Allmendinger, Katherine Legge and Charlie Kimball all elected to pit. However, the latter was forced to return to the pits a lap later after his car suffered from an electrical issue. The race was eventually resumed on Lap 7, with Ed Carpenter still in the lead ahead of Marco Andretti and E.J. Viso. However, Tony Kanaan soon began to scythe through the field in his KV Racing Technology machine, eventually overtaking Marco Andretti for 2nd and then Ed Carpenter for the lead on Lap 9.
The lead changed hands on numerous occasions as the race progressed, with Ed Carpenter, Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan all jostling at the front of the pack. Despite retaking the lead once again on Lap 28 from Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan was forced to pit for tyres and fuel on Lap 29, therefore gifting the lead back to Andretti. However, his lead was short-lived as he too elected to pit a lap later along with Ed Carpenter, E.J. Viso and Conor Daly. This allowed reigning IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to assume the lead, before he also pitted on Lap 31.
With many drivers completing green flag pit-stops, the Penske of Will Power gradually rose into the lead. The Australian driver, who has never won the Indianapolis 500, also pitted on Lap 33. This allowed James Jakes to take the lead for the first time around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, before a second full course caution was caused when Sebastian Saavedra spun into the wall at Turn 4. Under caution conditions, James Jakes pitted from the lead allowing Ed Carpenter to resume his lead of the race.
At the restart Ed Carpenter once again stormed into the lead ahead of Marco Andretti, with Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan following closely behind. Simona de Silvestro was issued with a drive-thru penalty for running over pit equipment during her pit-stop. The frenetic battle at the front was resumed between Ed Carpenter and Marco Andretti, with both swapping for the lead on numerous occasions before the third full course caution was caused on Lap 57.
This time it was Championship leader Takuma Sato who spun on the exit of Turn 2, however the A.J. Foyt Racing driver luckily managed to avoid a collision with the barrier and continued circulating. With the field once again under safety car conditions, the entire field elected to pit with Ryan Hunter-Reay winning the race off of pit-road and assuming the lead of the race. The race was restarted on Lap 61 with Hunter-Reay in the lead, however Marco Andretti soon perfected an overtaking maneuver on his fellow countryman for the lead.
As the battle at the front continued to rage on between Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter and Tony Kanaan, Buddy Lazier became the next retirement of the race after he returned to the pits with a fuel pressure issue. By Lap 75, Will Power joined the battle for the lead and eventually overtook Tony Kanaan at Turn 3. The Australian driver remained in the lead for several laps, before KV Racing Technology’s Tony Kanaan once again returned to the lead.
The Brazilian driver took to pit road on Lap 89, allowing E.J. Viso to make yet another lead change at the front. E.J. Viso’s lead was short-lived, however, when the Venezuelan driver also elected for another pit-stop. This allowed Colombian rookie Carlos Munoz to rise to the lead of the race for Andretti Autosport, before he too pitted and allowed Tony Kanaan to resume his lead at the top on Lap 92.
On Lap 98, A.J. Allmendinger stormed through the order from 4th to the lead, eventually overtaking Tony Kanaan at Turn 3. At the halfway stage of the race, A.J. Allmendinger led Tony Kanaan, with Ryan Hunter-Reay a close 3rd for Andretti Autosport. The battle for the lead at the front between Allmendinger and Kanaan intensified on Lap 101, however the Penske driver retained his lead until Lap 113 when his right cross seat strap came loose, forcing him to pit and allowing Tony Kanaan to resume his lead of the race.
Marco Andretti momentarily snatched the lead away from Tony Kanaan on Lap 121, however both he and Kanaan elected to pit shortly afterwards. This allowed reigning Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to take the lead before he pitted on Lap 122. The lead changed hands many times throughout the next few laps, as the green flag pit-stops ensued. This saw Carlos Munoz, Alex Tagliani and James Hinchcliffe all assume the lead before Ryan Hunter-Reay perfected an overtaking maneuver for the lead into Turn 1 on Lap 126.
However, the reigning Champion’s authority at the front was tested towards the end of the 126th lap, when Marco Andretti breezed into the lead. Ryan Hunter-Reay soon retook the lead, before E.J. Viso overtook both of them on Lap 133 to storm into the lead. Once again the lead changed on Lap 136, as Ryan Hunter-Reay stormed around team-mates Marco Andretti and E.J. Viso for the lead.
On Lap 137, A.J. Allmendinger returned to the lead of the race after his unscheduled pit-stop earlier in the race. The top nine cars were separated by less than two seconds as they finished Lap 137, in what was quickly becoming yet another thrilling Indianapolis 500. Allmendinger was forced to pit once again on Lap 143, allowing Hunter-Reay to assume the lead. However, Helio Castroneves flew from 3rd to 1st on Lap 145 to become the race’s 13th different leader.
The moment Tony Kanaan crossed the line to secure his first Indianapolis 500 victory.
The likable Brazilian’s lead was cut short on Lap 146 when Marco Andretti once again stormed into the lead, as the legendary race entered its closing stages. The 26-year-old American was forced to pit on Lap 152, allowing Ryan Hunter-Reay to once again rise back into the lead. Carlos Munoz once again momentarily led as the field began their final green flag pit-stops, before he too pitted and handed the lead down to Scott Dixon on Lap 155. The Kiwi’s lead was also short-lived, before he pitted and gifted James Hinchcliffe the lead of the race.
When James Hinchcliffe pitted on Lap 158, Marco Andretti momentarily resumed the lead before Ryan Hunter-Reay stormed into the lead. The lead between the two ebbed and flowed until A.J. Allmendinger overtook the duo for the lead on Lap 165. Marco Andretti stormed up the inside of Allmendinger for the lead on Lap 168, before Ryan Hunter-Reay took the lead a lap later after passing Andretti.
Whilst the battle for the lead continued to wage on at the front, Townsend Bell brushed the barrier at Turn 2 and quickly pitted for repairs. As Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti continued to trade the lead, Tony Kanaan silently rose through the order to the lead on Lap 174 after a masterful overtaking maneuver on Andretti. The Brazilian driver continued to battle for the lead until lap 178, when he was forced to pit. This saw Carlos Munoz assume the lead, before Marco Andretti once again rose to the top before pitting on Lap 180.
As many drivers once again returned to pit road, Carlos Munoz continued to hold a commanding lead at the front in only his first Indianapolis 500. The Colombian ace eventually pitted on Lap 185, allowing James Hinchcliffe to momentarily assume the lead before Ryan Hunter-Reay overtook the Canadian. The lead once again changed hands numerous times in the closing stages, with Tony Kanaan battling hard with the reigning Champion before a full course caution was caused on Lap 194 after Graham Rahal spun into the wall on the exit of Turn 2.
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti caused the final caution on Lap 198.
The race was resumed on Lap 197, with the top three running three wide at Turn 1. Tony Kanaan stormed into a commanding lead ahead of Carlos Munoz and Ryan Hunter-Reay as three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti slammed into the wall at Turn 1 and brought out another full course caution on Lap 198. This eventually saw the race end under caution conditions, with Tony Kanaan finally securing that elusive Indianapolis 500 crown.
The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 saw a mesmerizing and record-shattering 68 lead changes throughout the frenetic 200 laps. Despite storming to a sensational and well-earned victory, Tony Kanaan heads to the next race at Detroit in only 7th position in the Drivers’ Championship with 124 points. Marco Andretti takes the lead away from Takuma Sato at the top of the Drivers’ Championship with 168 points, despite not yet winning a race in 2013.
The IZOD IndyCar Series moves swiftly on to Detroit next weekend for the first duel race weekend with the Chevrolet Indy Duel in Detroit around the notorious streets of Detroit. Scott Dixon took victory last season, however the winner this season is anyone’s guess after a highly competitive start to the season.
Results - 200 laps:
Pos Driver Team/Engine Time/Gap
1. Tony Kanaan KV/Chevy 2h40m03.4181s
2. Carlos Munoz Andretti/Chevy + 0.1159
3. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti/Chevy + 0.2480
4. Marco Andretti Andretti/Chevy + 0.3634
5. Justin Wilson Coyne/Honda + 0.8138
6. Helio Castroneves Penske/Chevy + 3.0086
7. AJ Allmendinger Penske/Chevy + 4.0107
8. Simon Pagenaud Schmidt/Honda + 4.2609
9. Charlie Kimball Ganassi/Honda + 5.6864
10. Ed Carpenter Carpenter/Chevy + 6.8425
11. Oriol Servia Panther DRR/Chevy + 7.8633
12. Ryan Briscoe Ganassi/Honda + 8.9216
13. Takuma Sato Foyt/Honda + 10.2602
14. Scott Dixon Ganassi/Honda + 11.3858
15. Ana Beatriz Coyne/Honda + 12.2657
16. Tristan Vautier Schmidt/Honda + 15.3045
17. Simona De Silvestro KV/Chevy + 15.7201
18. EJ Viso Andretti/Chevy + 17.8056
19. Will Power Penske/Chevy + 22.5403
20. James Jakes Rahal/Honda + 1 lap
21. James Hinchcliffe Andretti/Chevy + 1 lap
22. Conor Daly Foyt/Honda + 2 laps
23. Dario Franchitti Ganassi/Honda + 3 laps*
24. Alex Tagliani Herta/Honda + 4 laps
25. Graham Rahal Rahal/Honda + 7 laps*
26. Katherine Legge Schmidt/Honda + 7 laps
27. Townsend Bell Panther/Chevy + 8 laps
28. Josef Newgarden Fisher/Honda + 9 laps
* Not running at finish
Retirements
Sebastien Bourdais Dragon/Chevy 178 laps
Pippa Mann Coyne/Honda 46 laps
Buddy Lazier Lazier/Chevy 44 laps
Sebastian Saavedra Dragon/Chevy 34 laps
JR Hildebrand Panther/Chevy 3 laps
Picture(s) Copyright © Chris Jones, Mike Young & Walter Kuhn/IndyCar
Simona de Silvestro Relieved With Strong Opening Race Weekend
Swiss IZOD IndyCar Series driver Simona de Silvestro has expressed relief after a strong start to her 2013 campaign, which saw the 24-year-old qualify an impressive 3rd and eventually finish 6th. For 2013, de Silvestro has switched from HVM Racing to KV Racing Technology to partner 2004 Champion Tony Kanaan.
After a highly uncompetitive year last season for Simona de Silvestro, which included a personal best of 13th at Detroit and nine retirements, the Swiss driver was in desperate need of a competitive start to her 2013 campaign with a team capable of victories in the Series. Competing alongside former Champion Tony Kanaan, Simona de Silvestro failed to disappoint with a result she has heralded as a relief after initial pre-season doubts.
“I think I had a little bit of doubts during the off-season if I was able to run up front after the season I had last year.” Explained Simona de Silvestro, after finishing 6th at St. Petersburg. “It was just a big relief that we started off the weekend really strong, qualified up front and pretty much raced up front the whole race. So it was really good. I think it was a big confidence boost for me and the team. I think now we can clean up a few things to be even better.”
Last season Simona de Silvestro competed in a one-car outfit at the Lotus-powered HVM Racing team, however for 2013 she will be working alongside a team-mate for the first time in her IZOD IndyCar Series career. Although Tony Kanaan is a hugely successful driver in the Series, with 14 victories in 166 starts, the two are working extremely well together and expect a strong season at the Chevrolet-powered outfit.
“We do actually.” Confirmed Simona de Silvestro, when asked about how well she works with Tony Kanaan. “I actually enjoy working with T.K. He has a lot of experience. I feel like we have a good friendly competition going on in the team. I think we really push each other every session. I think the team gets better that way. I think that’s going to make us pretty strong the whole season.”
Last year Tony Kanaan was partnered alongside good friend and fellow countryman Rubens Barrichello, along with Venezuelan driver E.J. Viso. However, the trio failed to deliver the expected successes with neither driver stepping onto the top step of the podium throughout the year. Already both Kanaan and de Silvestro have shown that they are capable of fighting towards the front of the order this season, with a victory or two highly possible.
Picture Copyright © Getty Images
Simona de Silvestro To Partner Tony Kanaan At KV Racing For 2013
It has been announced that Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro will join Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan at KV Racing Technology for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series, a move which will see her move away from the Lotus-powered HVM outfit. This will be the first time in her IZOD IndyCar career that she has been partnered by a team-mate.
After enduring a frustrating 2012 season, becoming the only driver to partake in the whole season using the disastrously uncompetitive Lotus engines, Simona de Silvestro will move to KV Racing Technology, partnering former Series Champion Tony Kanaan and ending her three-year stint as a HVM driver. The 24-year-old Swiss driver will get her first taste in the KV Racing Technology outfit next week, during a test at Barber.
It was initially thought that the HVM outfit were going to work together next season with KV Racing Technology, however these speculations seem to have died out and it is now believed that Simona de Silvestro will have no further involvement with the team which brought her into the IZOD IndyCar Series back in 2010. During the 2012 season, de Silvestro could only manage 13th at best at Detroit, in a season which included eight retirements (four of them mechanical related).
However, this move to KV Racing Technology should see an improvement in her form, especially with the outfit sporting Chevrolet engines. Simona’s best career result was 4th back in 2011 at St. Petersburg, a stat she will unquestionably be hoping to match or possibly even beat next season with a team which finished consistently in the top ten throughout the majority of last season.
Check out my previous interview with Simona de Silvestro, as we look back on her 2012 season.
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