As Tony Kanaan prepares for his final NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500, we celebrate the major milestones of his storied career. 

Before Tony steps into the No. 66 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet on May 28, let’s look back at some of Tony’s most memorable moments.

The Beginning

September 27, 1997: Before starting his illustrious INDYCAR SERIES career, Tony capped an incredible season in the Indy Lights Series (now called INDY NXT) to capture the title at California Speedway.

March 15, 1998: Tony Kanaan’s first career race at the Grand Prix of Miami. Tony did not finish the race, completing just 32 laps before a collision resulted in a DNF.

September 13, 1998: At the Grand Prix of Monterey, Tony outlasts a field that saw nearly half the grid retire early to finish in third, marking his first career podium result.

July 25, 1999: In his 31st career race, Tony finally breaks through for his first career win at the U.S. 500 at Michigan Speedway.

Championship Caliber

October 3, 2004 – With a second-place finish at California Speedway, Tony clinches his first career INDYCAR SERIES championship. At the conclusion of the race, Tony was 80 points ahead of Dan Wheldon. He left the fifth race of the season at Texas Motor Speedway Race 1 in first place and never relinquished his spot over the remaining 11 races.

October 17, 2004: At Texas Motor Speedway Race 2, Tony puts a bow on one of the most dominant seasons in the history of the INDYCAR SERIES. Not only did he secure the series championship, but he became the first driver to complete every possible lap in a season while leading 889 laps in 13 separate races, a series record. Tony finished in the top five in 15 of 16 races.

March 19, 2005: Starting from the back of the grid at Phoenix Raceway, Tony quickly makes his way near the front of the pack in just 10 laps. He held his ground the rest of the race to finish third.

June 28, 2008: Tony starts on pole position and collects the win at Richmond Raceway, the third time in his career he started and finished first. Tony led for 166 of the 300 laps. He went on to finish third in the point standings.

PSA: Milk Spill in Victory Circle

May 26, 2013: In his 12th start at the Indianapolis 500, Tony finally captured the win that had previously been so elusive. The race saw 68 lead changes, and Tony was able to cruise to the victory under caution.

August 30, 2014: In his last race of the 2014 season, Tony racked up his 16th career win at the MAVTV 500 in Fontana at Auto Club Speedway. His 16 career wins remain tied with Dan Wheldon and Ryan Hunter-Reay for seventh-most in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 1996.

On His Terms

September 22, 2019 – Tony finishes 16th at Laguna Seca in the last race of the 2019 season. He would later announce he would no longer be a full-time driver in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, making this his final race as a full-time driver.

May 29, 2022 – Nine years after his breakthrough win at the Indy 500, Tony competes for the win again at the Indy 500 with a third-place finish.

February 15, 2023 – Tony announces the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will be his final NTT INDYCAR SERIES race. More to come following the May 28 race.

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