Tony_Kanaan
Tony has arrived so I am going to things over to him. Enjoy!
OW Fan
Tony, congrats on the win at Richmond. Think it gives you some momentum
going into this weekend at The Glen?
Tony_Kanaan
For sure, although Watkins Glen is a totally different track than
Richmond. I am definitely happy to be back on a road course and to go
back there.
SwimRacer
You and Helio are two of the top drivers in the series. What is it about
Brazil that helps develop such great drivers?
Tony_Kanaan
It's so popular in Brazil so you have more people doing it. It's like
football here. It's really popular so a lot of people do it which leads
to good players. Same thing back home but with racing.
OW Fan
You have been running well all year, did it feel like you got a monkey
off your back with your win last week?
Tony_Kanaan
For sure. I don't like to call back luck but all of the issues that I
had seemed to fall into that category.
CherylXXX
Hi Tony, first congrats for your win at Richmond. Do you like the new
3-rounds qualifications procedure before the Firestone Fast Six or did
you prefer the previous one?
Tony_Kanaan
I definitely enjoy the new format a lot. I think it's a lot more
exciting for the fans and I support the series in their decision.
SwimRacer
What would you call your best or favorite victory?
Tony_Kanaan
All of them are special for me. All of them have a different meaning to
me. If I had to pick something it wouldn't be a victory but the overall
championship itself.
OW Fan
Obviously you are still at the top of your game in OW but have you
looked at the future at all? Any thoughts on how long you'll stay in the
game or what you'll do afterwards?
Tony_Kanaan
It's tough to say. It's hard to see when you are going to retire but I
think as long as I'm competitive I'll keep racing IndyCar. I keep myself
in shape and even though my contract is up this year, if they want me in
IndyCar racing I will be there.
SwimRacer
What the best part of being at AGR and what's the worst/most
frustrating?
Tony_Kanaan
The best part is being part of an organization that gives me a car to
win every weekend. The most frustrating is that by racing for an
Andretti, namely Michael, he expects us to win every race. hahaha
All4Kanaan
Tony, congratulations on your win last week! Are you pumped up for the
race this weekend? Is this the boost to your momentum that will take you
to the podium again this week? It's time to see someone other than Dixon
get the win at Watkins Glen. Why not TK! We look forward to seeing you
on the track and also at the autograph session.
Tony_Kanaan
Thank you and I definitely think I've got some momentum. We are
definitely going to try and break Dixon's streak this weekend for sure.
OW Fan
If you could make any changes that you wanted to the IRL, what would be
number 1 on your list?
Tony_Kanaan
Good question. I would just add a couple more road courses.
CherylXXX
Will you still race in the IRL next year ?
Tony_Kanaan
Of course...for sure!
redteam
Hi TK Watkins Glen is arguably the oldest and most prestigious road
course in the US. The Glen hosted Formula 1 for 20 years from 1961
through 1980. During that time some of the biggest names in auto racing
drove on this course. From Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Emerson
Fittipaldi and Ronnie Petersen in F1 to Jacky Ickx, Chris Amon, Henri
Pescarolo and Pedro Rodriguez in Sports Cars the Glen has hosted the
best. In the last few years has there ever been a moment in a race where
you said to yourself "I'm driving on a circuit that the very best from
yesteryear drove on ?" In other words do feel and appreciation for the
course's history ?
Tony_Kanaan
For sure. I mean every time I come to Watkins Glen I feel like I'm part
of history. As a driver, I am a huge fan of a lot of the drivers that
raced there in the past. I definitely feel like I am part of history.
OW Fan
Aside from yourself, who do you see being the most competitive this
weekend?
Tony_Kanaan
Dixon still. I don't think it's too difficult to figure out.
SwimRacer
What is it going to take of win this weekend?
Tony_Kanaan
Good car for sure.
OW Fan
How do you spend your free time?
Tony_Kanaan
I spend a lot of time with my kids at home and working out. We don't
have a lot of free time during the season but during the off-season it's
just relaxing and going to the beach.
SwimRacer
Do you have a favorite turn or section of track at The Glen?
Tony_Kanaan
The bus stop and the carousel.
redteam
A question about last year's race. Specifically the incident when Sam
Hornish hit you in Turn 6 I believe it was. Hornish was on the inside of
you attempting to overtake. I was of the understanding that the
overtaking car in those circumstances is solely responsible for avoiding
contact. In F1 the incident would have resulted in a penalty for
contact. I have even see cars in F1 in the same circumstances where the
car being overtaken turns in to the overtaking car to draw a foul. That
was clearly not the case here. Do you feel Hornish should have been
penalized ?
Tony_Kanaan
I think it's old news but I would call it a race incident. At the time
yes I agreed that Hornish should but that doesn't justify what happened
afterwards. I would just call it a race incident.
CherylXXX
During last week's IMS Radio Broadcast, Mike King said that would be
great to see you racing for Rahal Letterman Racing - teaming with Ryan
Hunter-Reay if you leave AGR after this season. I'd like to know if this
would be a possibility for you for the '09 season .
Tony_Kanaan
You never know. My contract is up and I haven't talked to anyone yet but
I can't say no.
OW Fan
Is there increased anticipation in the garage area with a return to road
racing after nothing but ovals following St. Pete?
Tony_Kanaan
Oh yeah, everyone is excited. Everyone can't wait to go back road
racing.
SwimRacer
What is the toughest track on the schedule?
Tony_Kanaan
That's too tough to answer. Every single one has their own way of being
tough so I can't pick just one.
redteam
Now that the series is heading in to the Road and Street Courses section
of the schedule do you sense any increase in competitive pressure
arising from the fact that the Transition Drivers will be driving on the
type of race course they specialized in ?
Tony_Kanaan
FOR SURE!!!
CherylXXX
Would you be interested in racing in the Daytona 24 next year ? Have you
already raced there ?
Tony_Kanaan
I did that in 1997 so yes. I would not turn down the invitation so
spread the word for me, I want to drive in the 24 hours.
OW Fan
What's the biggest difference you've noticed since the unification?
Tony_Kanaan
Many of them. More cars, it's more competitive, more fans, and more
exposure.
SwimRacer
Do you think the longer straightaway’s at The Glen will eliminate some
of the advantage the ex-CC guys seemed to have at St. Pete?
Tony_Kanaan
No. There are plenty of corners there.
CherylXXX
What are your feelings about the coming race at the Glen ? Do you think
you have a great chance to stop Dixon's three wins in a row ?
Tony_Kanaan
I do. I do think so yes.
atomik99
During the Richmond race, the commentators on IMS Radio mentioned that
you have shared your restart "secret" with only one other driver: Jaime
Camara. Is this true, and if so, can you share a little bit of that
secret with us?
Tony_Kanaan
I just teached him how to restart and how to keep the car in the front.
If anyone watched the race he gave me a run of my life so he learned
pretty well.
CherylXXX
How has the mentality changed at AGR since you joined it five years ago?
Tony_Kanaan
The team always focuses on winning races. The team has definitely gotten
younger over the years but the mentality is still the same.
atomik99
With 5 of the next 8 races being street/road as apposed to oval, how
differently do you prepare for the street/road races? And what type of
track do you personally prefer?
Tony_Kanaan
I love the road courses. I don't prepare any differently because I
prepare during my workouts during the off-season. You need to be in good
shape so you don't do anything different.
All4Kanaan
Have you considered going to NASCAR as Dario and Sam have this year? Or
are you strictly IRL ?
Tony_Kanaan
Not at all. I'm not going to NASCAR.
atomik99)
I love watching your video blogs on Indycar.com. Can we expect a lot
more of them in the future?
Tony_Kanaan
We will keep doing them. I am going to do another one this year so we
are definitely going to keep doing them.
All4Kanaan
AGR is on a roll this year with all the teams- are there any new
strategies that have come into play this year or are the teams just
improving and getting it all together?
Tony_Kanaan
Right now we just want to hang on and go for the championship. We don't
try to figure out who needs to win. We all just go out and try to put
all of our cars in the top 5 or even win each week.
redteam
BTW I love the V-Blog you do for ICS. The one you did at the awards
dinner was a riot. I loved it when you showed the hoard of reporters
around Danica then turned the camera back on to see the crowd of
reporters around Danica had not dwindles at all. You then faced the
camera and said forlornly "Nobody wants to talk to us". To funny ! :-)
Tony_Kanaan
Just trying to show the reality that we face and the attention she gets.
Laura
Good Job! Boo Nascar! haha
Tony_Kanaan
What can I say? I love open wheel.
atomik99
What do you hope to see in the new Indy car chassis in 2011?
Tony_Kanaan
I would say more downforce and more power.
CherylXXX
How do you think the ex-CC drivers have acclimated themselves to the IRL
car ? Are they racing well on oval or are you scared by some of them?
Tony_Kanaan
It can be scary with anybody but they are getting better at the ovals.
They are good drivers and are going to give us a great run from here on
out, no doubt.
IAindyfan
I really enjoy watching the video blogs also!! Do you plan to continue
writing updates on your website too like you have the last few weeks?
Tony_Kanaan
Yes. We have a new website coming out in a couple months. I apologize if
my website isn't up to date all the time but when the new one comes out
I promise all of you will enjoy it.
All4Kanaan
Glad to hear you are staying open wheel. Stay true to the racer you are.
Tony_Kanaan
We will.
Laura
Good-luck at the Nashville race next weekend! I'm going, hopefully it
won't rain on us like it did last year! That was crazy!
Tony_Kanaan
Thank you and I hope it doesn't rain as well. For sure.
atomik99)
Are you surprised how well your teammate Hideki is doing this year?
Tony_Kanaan
Not at all. He is a very talented race car driver.
redteam
I wasn't able to fly out this year but I will catch you at Infineon next
month. Good Luck and have a safe race.
Tony_Kanaan
Thank you.
CherylXXX
Do you think it would be a great choice by the IRL to use turbo engine
again in the future? How would it be different as the one you use now?
Tony_Kanaan
We have a need for more power. It's hard to call what we need in an
engine but what we have for right now is plenty good.
OW Fan
How did you get pulled into the Reece’s add with Kevin Harvick last
year?
Tony_Kanaan
Hershey's was my sponsor so they did a commercial with both of us.
Tony_Kanaan
I need to get going so thanks for coming out. We will do our best to win
this weekend and hope to see you at the track. Thanks again!
CherylXXX
Thanks Tony;)
Tony_Kanaan
You are welcome.
All4Kanaan
Thank you Tony! Good luck!!
Tony_Kanaan
Thanks
atomik99
Good luck TK!!
Tony_Kanaan
I appreciate it.
Laura
Good-luck Tony! keep winning!!!
Tony_Kanaan
For sure. Thanks. |
