IndyCar: Kanaan to retire from IndyCar after 2023 Indy 500 (Update)

At a press conference today, Tony Kanaan revealed SmartStop as his Primary Partner with Arrow McLaren for his final NTT INDYCAR SERIES race—the 2023 Indianapolis 500.

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop), a self-managed and fully integrated self-storage company, is also a Primary Partner for Felix Rosenqvist’s No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet for three 2023 races.

Tony also announced 66 as his car number which is a nod to Bruce McLaren and McLaren Racing’s heritage in the sport. It commemorates a monumental year and a significant number for the team. Bruce won at Le Mans in 1966, the same year the McLaren team entered its first Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monaco. Mark Donahue would drive No. 66 to win the 1972 Indy 500 in a McLaren-Offy M16B. In 2020, Fernando Alonso raced No. 66 for the team in the Indy 500 in his quest for the Triple Crown.

Tony and the No. 66 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet will run in the April 20 and 21 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Indy 500 Qualifying on May 21 and 22. The livery for the car will be revealed leading into the Open Test.

Tony Kanaan, Indy 500 Driver, Arrow McLaren, said:

“It’s hard for me to say this is my final NTT INDYCAR SERIES race and Indy 500 without getting emotional, and doing so wearing No. 66 and representing iconic moments in racing history make it even more special. I’m thankful for SmartStop’s partnership for this big event.”

Michael Schwartz, Chairman and CEO of SmartStop, said:
“Partnering with Arrow McLaren for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and being the Primary Partner for Tony Kanaan’s final NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is an opportunity unlike any other. Tony will leave a lasting impression on this sport, and SmartStop is proud to have a part in supporting him for his final race.”

Tony Kanaan announced today that the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge this coming May will be his 22nd and final start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Kanaan will attempt to qualify for the Sunday, May 28 race with Arrow McLaren as a Month of May teammate to Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi in his only scheduled NTT INDYCAR SERIES start this season. His final run will be entitled “Capitulo Final,” which translates to “Final Chapter” from his native Portuguese.

“It’s been a wonderful journey, but it’s not done yet,” Kanaan said in a video posted to his social media channels. “I will still have the pleasure to drive through the bricks one more time. Thank you all, and I’ll see you on Race Day.”

🇧🇷Tem sido uma jornada maravilhosa, mas ainda não acabou. Espero vcs para a última em Maio.
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🇺🇸 Let’s do this one last time. See you all in May.@ArrowMcLaren @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/lC1iY4GhT0

— Tony Kanaan (@TonyKanaan) February 15, 2023

Kanaan, 48, won the 2013 Indianapolis 500 while driving for KV Racing Technology-SH Racing. He won the 2004 INDYCAR SERIES championship for Andretti Autosport.

He finished third last season at Indianapolis while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, one of 12 top-10 finishes in his 21 starts. He also won the pole for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in 2005, one of his 11 starts in the first two rows during his career. In fact, Kanaan’s lowest qualifying spot in his first eight starts was sixth.