DPR Sports & Racing News

Kanaan gives Danica some advice even after a terrible weekend at the Brickyard

Tony Kanaan exchanged hugs and handshakes with his whole Andretti Autosport team when Bump Day ended…. And he is in the show. Bring on next Sunday.

Last season, Kanaan finished sixth in the standings, a distant 230 points back of  Dario Franchitti, and didn't record a win last season. It’s not like Kanaan has been bad at Indy either. Despite not reaching Victory Lane, he's led in seven of his eight Indianapolis 500s. But also has crashed the past two races. Just some bad luck, just like this weekend.

Green cars used to be taboo at Indy and most drivers would avoid the color at all costs.. Maybe a color change would do him good.

On Danica and her outburst after her sub par qualifying effort.

Kanaan said that he talked to Patrick and she realized that what she said Saturday was wrong.

“She definitely needs to change her attitude. Not against the public or the fans,” Kanaan said. “In herself. She’s not happy with herself right now. And I can understand that. I can relate to that because I’ve been there. I had a terrible year last year.”

 “I think my best advice to her, which I told her last night, is you’ve got to learn from the tough times,” Kanaan said. “The same guys that she finished fifth in the championship last year and won her first race, they’re still there. Those are the same people. In racing, besides having a good setup and a good car, I believe that your attitude counts a lot.

“The best advice I said to her was, ‘Look, start having fun again.’ When you wake up in the morning in your bus and you can’t wait to go to the racetrack and see your guys, it’s the best feeling. But when you wake up in the morning and say God, I’ve got to drive a race car again, that’s not good.”

Maybe Tony should talk to Marco as well. He said his car was “pathetic” or maybe do as Helio and Dario did this weekend. Seek divine intervention. It worked for them.

“I was joking with Dario. I saw Jesus three times out there. Dario said, Well, I spoke with him many times”. Said Castroneves in a post qualifying press conference.