Though Tony Kanaan has not been a major figure in endurance in the past, the Brazilian driver's first appearance in the discipline does date back to 1998 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona when he took the wheel of a Ford Mustang Cobra fielded by Tom Gloy Racing in LMGT1 (third in the class). He then drove Andretti Green Racing's #26 Acura ARX-01a at the 12 Hours of Sebring (American Le Mans Series version) in 2007, finishing second six laps behind the winning Audi R10 TDI along with two other IndyCar Series drivers: Bryan Herta and Dario Franchitti. Tony Kanaan: "I have always been interested in endurance racing. I watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Rolex 24 at Daytona every year on television. My schedule in IndyCar prevents me from doing more, but being a part of the endurance world is something I've always wanted!"

This year, he's in his 22nd season of single-seaters in the U.S. (Champ Car then the IndyCar Series) in a championship that doesn't have much to do with endurance racing. "Endurance is far from what I normally do, but I admire it for its team spirit. In IndyCar, you take the start, try to be the fastest throughout the race and that's how you have a chance to win. Endurance is a different ball game. You have more time, you have to share the car with two other drivers and hand it over in good shape (this year he joined forces with Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell for Le Mans, 12th in LMGTE Pro, Ed.). You don't want to damage the car, therefore you have to adopt the proper pace. It takes more concentration because the race is longer and it's easy to make a mistake. You also have to manage time to sleep."

The differences between a single-seater like an IndyCar and a GT are considerable according to Kanaan: "By now I have quite a few 24-hour races behind me in the Ford GT. In fact, I've driven it more than any other car. I love GTs and how they handle on the track. I did win the Rolex 24 at Daytona in prototype, but that was three years ago (Riley-Ford with Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray, Ed.). GTs aren't the same in terms of driving, they're pretty easy and consistent. You definitely have to keep an eye on the rear view mirror for LMPs barreling down on you. But I have fun at the wheel no matter what."

This year, he took the start at his second 24 Hours after a rather unconventional debut. "I've wanted to do Le Mans since I was a kid. I even played a video game to learn the circuit and I think I saw it on TV for the first time back in 1982. I participated in the race as a rookie in 2017 but that was quite unexpected. I was in Indianapolis the day Sébastien (Bourdais, Ed.) had his accident qualifying at the Indy 500. The next day, Chip Ganassi (owner of Ford Chip Ganassi Team who fields Ford GTs in the IMSA and the World Endurance Championship, Ed.) called to tell me I was going to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Sébastien's place. Even though it's something I'd always wanted to do, the first days at Le Mans were strange. I felt badly for Sébastien, but someone had to step up! I did enjoy the experience, but for several reasons I preferred the 2018 edition."

Tony Kanaan has fallen under the spell of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race he now considers equal to the Indianapolis 500 in importance. "In 2017, I missed Scrutineering, but was able to take part this year and loved it. It's part of the show, as is the Drivers' Parade which is great fun as well. I've taken the start at the Indianapolis 500 17 times. It has always been the race of the year to me. But now that I've done Le Mans, I can say it's just as big. A lot of drivers find the week quite long, but not me, I even feel like it goes by too fast! Le Mans and Indianapolis are the two biggest races in the world! You have to do them at least once in your life as a driver."

PHOTO Gallery (Copyright - David Bristol/ACO): Tony Kanaan in IndyCar.