Indy 500 – Tony Kanaan and his lucky medals

Superstitious Tony Kanaan? So few... Charms supposed to bring him luck, he has a mess of them offered by his fans. “If I come with it to the circuit, I would need a trailer” he admits. But shortly after the finish, the Brazilian still spoke of two objects that would have helped him in his quest for victory. These do not come from supporters, but from people he is close to.

“As everyone knows, Alex Zanardi is here this weekend, He says. He brought with him his Olympic gold medal. Right before the race he gave it to Jimmy (Vasser, co-owner of KV Racing Technology, whose colors Kanaan defends, and former teammate of Zanardi in Cart. Editor's note), who brought her to the bus in which I was lying down. It was an hour before departure. “Zanardi is asking you to rub it,” he told me. I actually hugged that thing. »

And to continue with his second anecdote: “Nine years ago, I went to a hospital here in Indy. I met a little girl of 14 years old. She had just suffered a stroke. (stroke. Ed.) and was in a coma. She was going to have surgery the next morning. With me, I had this thing that my mom gave me. A kind of bracelet to protect me. Not to bring me luck, because you know how mothers are... She always asks me to drive slowly, which is quite strange but hey... She can't do it (laughs. Editor’s note). Anyway, I took it out of my pocket and said to the little girl's mother, "I don't know if you believe in these things, but I've had this for a long time." It always protected me. My mother gave it to me, I want to give it to you. " I gave him. She (the little girl. Editor’s note) survived and is doing very well. We kept in touch. And four days ago (before the race), she showed up and gave me an envelope and a letter. She told me that she had been lucky enough in her life, that she was now married, and that she wanted to return that to me. (the necklace. Editor’s note) so that it brings me luck in turn. She wanted me to win the Indy 500…” The rest, we know it.