December 31, 1974 – Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan is born

Brazilian race car driver Antoine Rizkallah “Tony” Kanaan Filho, better known as Tony Kanaan, was born on this day in 1974. Kanaan’s career highlights include winning the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and the 2004 IndyCar Series championship. During the 2004 IndyCar season he completed 3,305 laps, making him the first IndyCar Series driver to complete every possible lap in a full season. Of those laps he led 889 in 13 separate races, establishing an IndyCar Series record. 

Another record set by Kanaan is leading in each of his first seven starts at the Indianapolis 500. He won the event on his 12th attempt. Kanaan has a total of 17 career race wins and 15 pole-positions in the IndyCar Series. He has also collected wins in other events, such as the 2015 24 Hours of Daytona. Looking toward 2021, Kanaan plans to drive a part-time schedule behind the wheel of the Number 48 Dallara Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing for the IndyCar Series.