INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: Brazil’s Tony Kanaan, frustrated after leading eight Indianapolis 500s without a victory, finally won the oval classic yesterday with tension-packed restart pass with three laps remaining.
Kanaan overtook US leader Ryan Hunter-Reay on the restart and a crash by defending champion Dario Franchitti moments later handed Kanaan a long-sought triumph over 200 laps at the 2.5-mile (four-kilometer) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
“I can’t believe it. I’m speechless,” Kanaan said. “I got a little bit of luck today.”
Kanaan ensured his likeness will be molded onto the champions’ trophy in his 12th Indy start.
“We were known for not winning. Now we’re known for winning,” Kanaan said. “This is it. I made it. Finally, I’m going to put my ugly face on that trophy.”
On the lap 198 restart after a crash by US racer Graham Rahal, Kanaan went low around Hunter-Reay and took the lead in the first turn while Colombian rookie Carlos Munoz, in his first IndyCar race, went high and took second.
Seconds later, Franchitti hit the wall to bring out yellow flags for the final time as the race cruised to the finish under slow-speed caution laps. “I couldn’t believe it,” Kanaan said. “The last lap was the longest lap of my life. I wanted the pace car to hurry up.”
Hunter-Reay was third, American Marco Andretti fourth, Britain’s Justin Wilson fifth and three-time winner Helio Castroneves of Brazil sixth.
There were an Indy 500 record 14 leaders and 68 lead changes, twice the old record set just last year. REUTERS
