In this Portuguese name, "Filho" is a generational suffix meaning "son", which is used for someone whose name is the same as their father, like "Jr." in English.
Kanaan began competing in Formula Europa Boxer for the 1994 season. Kanaan drove for Cram Competition in a Tatuus-Alfa Romeo. Kanaan won the series championship on the strength of 5 race wins.
Kanaan began to compete in CART in 1998 for Tasman Motorsports, finishing out the season ranked ninth in points, with 92. Kanaan won the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year Award. In 1999, he signed to drive for Forsythe, and won the pole at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach as well as the U.S. 500 to finish the season ranked 11th.
Kanaan stayed with Mo Nunn Racing for the 2001 season. He got his first podium since winning at Michigan in 1999. Kanaan later qualified on the pole position at the Target Grand Prix at Chicago Motor Speedway. He finished the season ranked ninth.
In 2002, Kanaan and Mo Nunn Racing competed in the Indy Racing League (IRL), making a one-off entry into the Indianapolis 500. Kanaan was the highest-starting rookie in the race, qualifying in fifth-place. During the race, Kanaan led for 23 laps, when on lap 90 both Jimmy Vasser and Bruno Junqueira had mechanical problems, slowing on the track. An oil leak on the track was not caught by IRL officials and Kanaan crashed, finishing 28th.
Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing in the No. 11 7-ElevenDallara IR05-Ilmor-HondaIndy V8 HI4R in 2006. Kanaan's only win was at the ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt 225 at the Milwaukee Mile. On 28 May, Kanaan's friend Rubens Barrichello wore Kanaan's helmet livery during the Formula OneMonaco Grand Prix and Kanaan wore Barrichello's helmet during the Indianapolis 500. The pair created a charity offering financial and technical aid to institutions within the voluntary sector, the Barrichello Kanaan Institute.[1] Kanaan had an issue with another friends and former teammate from his time at Tasman Motorsports, Hélio Castroneves. Kanaan and Castroneves had developed an intense rivalry that resulted in hard feelings. Castroneves accused Kanaan of costing him the 2006 series championship by racing him too hard for position in the final race. Kanaan countered that he was not paid to let other people pass him for the position. Kanaan finished 6th with 384 points.
Kanaan had his winningest season during 2007 in the No. 11 7-ElevenDallara IR5-HondaIndy V8 HI7R for Andretti Green Racing. Kanaan won the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. At the Indianapolis 500 Kanaan won the Scott Brayton Award for showing the spirit of the late Scott Brayton, who was killed while practicing for the 1996Indianapolis 500. After a complicated race with cautions and a temporary stop, Kanaan was often referred to, along with team owner Michael Andretti, as one of the best drivers never to win the Indianapolis 500.[2] Kanaan won the ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt 225. Kanaan won again at the Firestone Indy 400. Kanaan dominated the following race, the Meijer Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Kanaan's fifth win came at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix. Kanaan infamously got into a fight with Hornish that eventually involved Michael Andretti and 15 to 20 others. Despite winning a season-high number of races (5) Kanaan finished 3rd in points, behind Franchitti and Dixon.
In 2008, Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing in the No. 11 7-ElevenDallara IR5-HondaIndy V8 HI7R. Kanaan rose above the controversy to finish 3rd in points with 513 points.
Kanaan returned with Andretti Green Racing for 2009 in the No. 11 7-ElevenDallara IR5-HondaIndy V8 HI7R. Kanaan suffered bruised ribs in Indy 500. Despite the injuries, Kanaan did not miss any races. Kanaan finished sixth in points with 386 points.
In 2010, Kanaan returned to drive the No. 11 7-ElevenDallara IR5-HondaIndy V8 HI7R. In October Kanaan was released from his contract with Andretti after 7-Eleven announced it would not return as Kanaan's primary sponsor. Kanaan won 14 races and one championship in eight years with Andretti.
In 2013, Kanaan returned with KV Racing Technology in the No. 11 HydroxycutDallaraDW12-Ilmor-Chevrolet Indy V6. At the Indianapolis 500 Kanaan qualified in 12th place. Kanaan moved up through the field and battled for the lead with Ed Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti. On lap 197 Kanaan passed Hunter-Reay for the lead on a restart for a crash by Graham Rahal with Carlos Muñoz, Hunter-Reay and Andretti behind. The race finished under caution for the fourth consecutive year. Kanaan won at an average speed of 187.433 miles per hour, breaking the record set by Arie Luyendyk in the 1990 race. The race also set the record for the number of lead changes in the race with 68, breaking the previous record of 34. Kanaan later said "I was known for not winning and now I am known for winning. The last lap was the longest lap of my life. I get to put my ugly face on that trophy." Kanaan tied Sam Hanks as the most experienced driver to win, in their twelfth start.[3] Kanaan finished 11th with 397 points, his first full-time IndyCar season to finish out of the Top 10 in points. Kanaan won the series' Most Popular Driver award.
In 2015, Kanaan began to drive the No. 10 NTT Data Chevy for Ganassi. In 2017 Kanaan had his worst and last season in the No.10 NNT Data Chevy for Ganassi. In 2018 Kanaan drove the No.14 ABC Supply Chevy for A. J. Foyt Racing.. In 2018 and 2019 he finished no better than 15th. He stated that the 2020 season would be his last, running only a five-race schedule. In 2021, he returned to Chip Ganassi Racing on a partial schedule, driving the No. 48 Dallara Honda on oval courses.
Kanaan first competed in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series in 2013. Kanaan finished 58th in the DP standings with 22 points and 138th in the GT standings with 16 points.
In 2021, Kanaan entered four races of the Superstar Racing Experience, an all-star stock car racing series. His best results were 7th at Stafford and Eldora.
Personal life
Kanaan is of Lebanese heritage.[6] He is a member of the "brat pack", a group of CART drivers who were close friends off the track, along with Dario Franchitti, Max Papis and the late Greg Moore.[7]
Kanaan is a triathlete. He credits triathlon training[8] for his ability to stay in shape for driving. Kanaan completed half Ironman competitions (1.2-mile swim/56-mile bike/13.1-mile run) and competed in the Ironman World Championships (2.4-mile swim/112-mile bike/26.2-mile run) in 2011 with a time of 12:52:40. Kanaan married twice and has four children.
* Kanaan qualified 32nd in a backup car but decided to switch back to his primary car for the race. This forced him to start from the 33rd position on the grid.
* Season still in progress 1 Shared points with Hailie Deegan
Notes
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Brazilian
