What is Indy 500 Winner Tony Kanaan's Favorite Thing About the Bay Area?

By Autumn Johnson

Indy racing legend Tony Kanaan, winner of this year's Indianapolis 500, met with fans at Barons in Dublin this afternoon.

Around 2 p.m. today, IndyCar racing fans from Hayward, Castro Valley, San Ramon and the Tri-Valley lined up to take photos and meet with Kanaan, who was at the Barons Legacy showroom in Dublin as part of a promotion for the limited edition Luminox Tony Kanaan watch sold at Barons. On Monday, the Indy car driven by Kanaan during this year's Indy 500 victory, was parked in front of the jewelry store for the day.


[Related story: Car That Won Indianapolis 500 on Display at Barons in Dublin]

Kanaan, who is from Brazil, says he started racing with his dad when he was 8-years-old and started racing in the United States in 1996.

Although his home is in Miami, Florida, Kanaan spends a lot of time on the road, traveling from race to race. 

"In the last 65 days, I have spent 8 days at home," Kanaan said. "My wife understands. She has a T.V. show so she travels with me on the weekends."

When asked at what point he knew he was going to win the Indy 500 this year, Kanaan said, "I think you know when you have a car [that is going to win] all day long but it's not over until it's over. I have lost so many times with a good car so I didn't want to get my hopes up."

After driving the 2.5 mile track 200 hundred times at the Indy 500 what kind of milk did Kanaan choose for the post-win guzzling tradition?

"Two percent milk but I could have been drinking anything at that point," Kanaan said laughing.

Kanaan says of all the moments in his racing career, he would not choose any one win as his most proud moment.

"I lost my dad at 14 and he introduced me to racing," Kanaan said. "He died on a Thursday and I raced that Sunday. I would say I was most proud of the fact that I had the strength to win the race that day."

When in town, Kanaan says he loves San Francisco and to see the sights, adding, "I love to get to Alcatraz but my wife has never been."

Curious about Kanaan's absolute favorite thing while in the Bay Area? 

"In-N-Out Burger," he laughingly admitted.

Andrew Miller of San Ramon waited in line to get an autograph signed by Kanaan and says he has been to the Indianapolis 500 three times in his life.

"My dad got out the transistor radio and we would listen ever Memorial Day and got me hooked," Miller said. "If you ever want to go to a sporting event, go to Indy! Everyone should go once." 

Kanaan is in the Bay Area to compete in the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Aug. 25.

The Indy car driven by Kanaan is owned by Alamo resident Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser of Napa, who are the owners of KV Racing Technology. 

[Related article: Owners of Indianapolis 500 Winner Live in Alamo and Napa]

Did you see Kanaan at Barons today? Tell us in the comments section below.