Kanaan Smacks Concrete at St. Pete Grand Prix
Written by Allan Brewer · March 31, 2007
“Sometimes You’re the Windshield, Sometimes You’re the Bug” says Helio
by Allan Brewer
allan@fastmachines.com
Helio Castroneves starts on pole for Sunday’s St. Petersburg Grand Prix in sunny Florida. Helio benefitted from a smack-up during the “Fast Six” portion of qualifications by Tony Kanaan, who posted the day’s best time on the street course; but by rule will be moved to no better than sixth on the grid for the start.
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Helio Castroneves. Photo: JimHainesIRL
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That old Andretti racing luck snuck into the IndyCar Series’ Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this afternoon as Andretti Green Racing’s Tony Kanaan first set fastest time in qualifications on the street course, then carromed off the inside of turn nine into a concrete barrier only three minutes into the “Fast Six” session, badly damaging the left side of his car.
The result left Helio Castroneves on the pole for Sunday’s IndyCar Series event, and brought a wry smile from the lips of the Team Penske driver, who added, “Sometimes you’re the bug, sometimes you’re the windshield…” of Kanaan’s boo-boo.
Kanaan’s car did not immediately look repairable in time for the race, though a long afternoon and night’s labor might make that happen. If not, he’ll be moved to the rear of the field in his backup car, quite a loss after setting fastest lap on the 1.8 mile course.
Parsing the vagaries of the Indy Racing League rules, even if Kanaan does make good a repair of the car he will start no better than sixth
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