Kanaan fastest, Johnson 7th in final 500 practice

Tony Kanaan’s return to the Indianapolis 500 with The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing has been highly successful. The 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner has been among the fastest drivers in every practice session, and he qualified sixth for Sunday’s 106th Indianapolis 500 with a four-lap average of 232.372 miles per hour in the No. 1 American Legion Honda.

Kanaan was the fastest driver in Friday’s Carb Day final practice session for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. He ran a fast lap of 227.114 miles per hour after running 46 laps in the 90-minute practice.

His Carb Day began across the street at Speedway Post 500 and appeared on the nationally syndicated “The Bob & Tom Show.” Post 500 was filled with members of The American Legion and race fans who are camped out on the grounds.

Kanaan was on the air around 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

“We went to the Legion post right across the street from here,” Kanaan said. “We're racing for a great cause this month. 'Be the One' is the cause that we're trying to make people aware of it. Seventeen veterans take their lives every day with mental health issues. If we can try to save a life, at least one life a day, it's a great cause.

“It's been a great experience for me. Obviously racing the 500 at this point in age is pretty cool but having another really cool motive is really nice.”

As for Kanaan’s impressive final practice speed, the 2004 IndyCar Series champion tried to put it into perspective.

“It's not important at all,” Kanaan said. “We had a good car all month. We didn't go out and let's be fastest on Carb Day. It doesn't count, doesn't mean anything. It's a consequence of a good car that we had all month. You look at teammates, they're all there.

“I’m glad it's been working out for us. After this interview, it doesn't matter anymore. We're all going for the race on Sunday.”

Kanaan had a fast Honda last year when he was sharing the No. 48 ride with Jimmie Johnson. This year, Johnson is running the full season and Kanaan is in an extra Honda at Chip Ganassi Racing.

“It's the same as last year, we're starting in the same spot,” Kanaan said. “I think we're just stronger as a team. But my car was good last year. We got caught in the yellow flag before the first stop and went two laps down. Took us all day to recover to finish 10th.

“Anything can happen. It doesn't matter how good of a car you have if you're not in the right place at the right time.”

Jimmie Johnson, the cornerstone of The American Legion INDYCAR program, was the seventh fastest on Carb Day with a fast lap of 225.974 mph. He ran 49 laps in the session.

“I feel great,” said Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. “I'm happy to get on track today, get some more reps, try some more adjustments with the car. All in all, I think we've had a lot of practice. I've got a good sense of the car and excited to go racing.

“I’m absolutely looking forward to it. Being here last year to watch as a fan, take it all in, the energy I experienced was not anything like I've seen before. It was only half full. I can't wait until race day to feel it at full energy. Each day we get closer to the 500, it gets busy. The pressure is ramping up. I think the weekend was quite busy with qualifying. I didn't anticipate that; the stress demands each driver would take.

“Some of it's predictable with media and trying to promote this big race, be a part of it. It is odd to have tomorrow off and not be in the car at all, then just get in on Sunday.

“Again, I just kind of roll with it and take in everything I can.”

Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson was second fastest at 227.004 mph. He ran 30 laps in the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Honda for CGR. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato was second at 226.839 mph in the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Honda.

Another Ganassi driver, pole-winner Scott Dixon, was fourth at 226.696 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda. Sage Karam of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing rounded out the top five with a lap at 226.517 mph in the No. 24 Chevrolet.

Team Penske’s Will Power was sixth at 226.032 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet followed by Johnson.

Saturday is the public driver meeting followed by the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis.

The 106th Indianapolis 500 is Sunday with the NBC telecast beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.