Kanaan’s performance in Indy 500 brings more exposure to ‘Be the One’

Since the April launch of the Be the One campaign – a collaboration between The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) – the effort has been highlighted throughout the INDYCAR Series through CGR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Alex Palou.

And on Sunday, with Memorial Day Weekend as the backdrop, Tony Kanaan gave the campaign perhaps its greatest exposure to date, driving the No. 1 American Legion Honda with Be the One messaging prominently displayed on the car to a third-place finish on auto racing’s biggest stage: the Indianapolis 500.

And watching Kanaan’s finish was American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard, whose motto for the year falls directly in line with Be the One.

“I made my theme ‘No Veteran Left Behind,’” said Dillard, attending his first Indy 500. “I feel like we can be the one, and I want (Legionnaires) to be the one to make that phone call to save one. To talk to a buddy in hard times or a sister that needs help to get over the hump. Maybe we need to get them professional help.

“Any time you can get the name out there in the top 3, and as much publicity as was shown today … that message gets out. When you’ve got Tony behind the wheel, and Jimmie Johnson and Alex Palou, it’s great. Chip and (his staff) have a good team.”

Also in attendance was American Legion Past National Commander Jake Comer, who said he felt Kanaan could pull the race out at the end. But seeing Kanaan run near or at the top of the field all afternoon was what mattered to Comer.

“He pulled in No. 3, and that was great,” Comer said. “I had the opportunity to go down in the pits (before the race), see all the cars and see The American Legion name all over the area. On television, The American Legion is getting great response. To see that Be the One, when we have all the problems with veterans and suicide prevention – if we can save one life a time – and to have Be the One come in third is very good for us.”

Comer said that teaming with CGR on Be the One was a natural fit for The American Legion. “We’re expected to do it. We’re the largest (veterans) organization in the world,” he said. “The American Legion is out front on most things. We were out front on the GI Bill. And I hope now we’ll be responsible for Be the One.”

Comer also praised Johnson for his effort in his first Indy 500. The seven-time NASCAR series champion led two laps before he hit the Turn 2 wall with six laps to go, ending up 28th in his first Indy 500.

In addition to Kanaan’s efforts promoting Be the One leading up to the 500, Johnson also shared the message, teaming with country music star Blake Shelton to design Johnson’s race helmet that honors the military and veterans, while featuring American Legion branding. Johnson and Shelton will both sign the helmet, and it will be displayed at the remaining INDYCAR SERIES races, and select other events, in The American Legion’s mobile marketing trackside display.

Fans who donate $48 to The American Legion will be entered in a drawing to win the race-worn Helmet of Heroes in September. Visit: http://bit.ly/HelmetofHeroes or text HelmetofHeroes to 91999 to donate.