Tony Kanaan
FILE - In this May 14, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car following practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. When a pair of poor finishes cost Alex Palou the IndyCar points lead, the second-year driver found teammate Johnson for a pair of pep talks. Johnson may be an IndyCar rookie on the track, but the intangibles he brings to Chip Ganassi Racing as a seven-time NASCAR champion are invaluable. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Column: Johnson's leadership steadies Palou for title fight

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 13, 2021 11:01 AM EDT

Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, left, chats with Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Jimmie Johnson before the start of practice of the IndyCar auto race, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston)
Johnson's 1st oval test clears way for laps at Indianapolis

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 31, 2021 01:53 PM EDT

Romain Grosjean, of Switzerland, hugs his son Sacha after finishing second in the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Grosjean successfully knocks down first IndyCar oval

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 24, 2021 02:20 AM EDT

FILE - Romain Grosjean competes during an IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, in this Sunday, July 4, 2021, file photo. Former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean, who moved to IndyCar this year but said he'd only race the road and street courses, has fallen in love with the series and relented on his opposition to ovals. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar, File)
IndyCar's final stretch begins with last oval race of year

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 20, 2021 01:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 14, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car following practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Johnson is hopeful of testing in August at Homestead-Miami Speedway as part of a path toward running in the Indianapolis 500 in 2022. The seven-time NASCAR champion jumped this season to IndyCar and has competed in seven races for team owner Chip Ganassi. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Indycar rookie Johnson aims for Indianapolis 500 run in 2022

By Dan Gelston Jul. 27, 2021 06:32 PM EDT

FILE - Tony Stewart is shown during the debut race of Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford, Conn., in this Saturday, June 12, 2021, file photo. Stewart has been like everyone else in the motorsports industry this week, frequently checking social media to see Paul Tracy's latest theatrics in a one-sided war against NASCAR golden girl Hailie Deegan. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
SRX smashes its way to theatrical close of inaugural season

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 16, 2021 03:34 PM EDT

Alex Palou celebrates after winning an IndyCar race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Confidence helps Palou make rapid rise up IndyCar standings

By Steve Megargee Jun. 21, 2021 02:28 AM EDT

Pato O'Ward waits before practice for the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix auto racing doubleheader on Belle Isle in Detroit, Friday, June 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Palou shakes off Indy defeat, takes points lead to Detroit

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 11, 2021 07:23 PM EDT

FILE - Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, winner of the 2021 Indianapolis 500 auto race, poses during the traditional winners photo session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Monday, May 31, 2021, file photo. Superstar Racing Experience was conceptualized as a series for former greats who still had the skills and desire to compete and square off in identically prepared cars at six of America’s classic short tracks. Castroneves has no full-time job this season so joining SRX was a no-brainer. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
SRX made-for-TV racing series debuts with Indy 500 winner

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 10, 2021 03:50 PM EDT

Alex Palou, of Spain, drives into Turn 1 during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Wait 'til next year: Palou, O'Ward fall to Castroneves

By Dan Gelston May. 30, 2021 05:01 PM EDT

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, is congratulated by Takuma Sato, of Japan, after Castroneves, won the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dixon, other big-name drivers struggle through Indy 500

By Michael Marot May. 30, 2021 04:48 PM EDT

Graham Rahal hits the wall in Turn 2 after losing a tire during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rob Baker)
INDY 500 NOTEBOOK: Loose wheel ends Rahal's race

By Michael Marot May. 30, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Car owner Michael Andretti watches from the pit area during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Open-wheel racing at peace 25 years after CART/IRL split

By Michael Marot May. 29, 2021 03:14 AM EDT

Ryan Hunter-Reay prepare to drives in the final practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Buzzing again: Indy 500 is biggest sports event of pandemic

By Jenna Fryer May. 28, 2021 03:14 PM EDT

Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, drives through the first turn during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
IndyCar veterans still going strong as careers wind down

By Michael Marot May. 28, 2021 03:11 AM EDT

The home of Veronica and Beth Shook, mother and daughter, decorated as part of the Spectacle of Homes contest to be featured ahead of the Indianapolis 500 auto race, is shown Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Indianapolis. Because the traditional parade has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, drivers will instead cruise by homes that have been decorated to celebrate the 105th running of the race. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Front Yard of Bricks: Fans embrace Indy 500 traditions

By Jenna Fryer May. 27, 2021 05:59 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson talks with Dario Franchitti, left, following a practice session for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 14, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Johnson watches Indy 500 from sideline itching to get in car

By Jenna Fryer May. 26, 2021 03:31 PM EDT

Takuma Sato, of Japan, signs an autograph for a fan during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indy 500 winner Sato wants third race victory and a party

By Dan Gelston May. 26, 2021 01:11 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press May. 25, 2021 01:10 PM EDT
May 26 1925 — In Detroit’s 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, Ty Cobb becomes the first to collect 1,000 career extra-base hits. He...

Simon Pagenaud of France climbs into his car during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penske's problems continue even after Indy qualifying ends

By Michael Marot May. 23, 2021 08:04 PM EDT