INDYCARNATION

Appropriately, Tony Kanaan’s number for the 19th Huntington’s Disease Triathlon on Aug. 1 was 711.

Kanaan, the 2004 IZOD IndyCar Series champion who drives the No. 11 Team 7-11 car for Andretti Autosport, and A.J. Foyt Racing driver Vitor Meira were among 560 competitors in the event in Miami. All proceeds go to support research to combat and potentially cure the inherited degenerative brain disorder.

Meira finished third in his age group (30-34) in the Olympic race that includes a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run. He had a total time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 16 seconds. Kanaan finished fourth in his age group (35-39) in the sprint triathlon that includes a 400-yard swim, 12.4-mile bike and 3.1-mile run in 1:10.14.

"I don't think I can call myself a triathlete, but I'm in love with the sport," Kanaan said. "It's harder than racing my own car. Here it's just you; you can't blame anyone else for how you do."

Kanaan will compete in the inaugural Miami 70.3 on Oct. 30, while Meira will compete in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on Nov. 13 in Clearwater, Fla.

In Indianapolis, 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand, who will make his IZOD IndyCar Series debut this weekend in the No. 24 RollCoater car for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, finished 17th overall (second in his age group) in the Tri Indy Sprint Triathlon. He completed the 500-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run in 1:05.27. 

IZOD IndyCar Series participants elected

Bobby Rahal, president of the Road Racing Drivers Club, announced the election of 31 members for 2010, including eight with IZOD IndyCar Series ties.

“For 58 years, membership in the RRDC has been a badge of honor for outstanding racers and a select few others with legacy-level relationships to the sport,” he said. “Membership, however, also infers the responsibilities of racing leadership, representing the best qualities of sportsmanship, taking an active interest in safety and helping new drivers launch successful and enduring racing careers.”

Invitees included Ryan Briscoe, Gil de Ferran, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Graham Rahal, Jimmy Vasser, Dan Wheldon and Justin Wilson.

Downtown Baltimore work begins

Work begins Aug. 2 on more than $5.5 million of road improvements to prepare for the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix in 2011. Officials estimate work will be completed by mid-November.

The city’s contract with Baltimore Racing Development requires the city to use a $5 million federal grant and $2.75 million borrowed against future state funding to fix streets, sidewalks, street signs and traffic signals along the race route.

Ganassi named honorary chairman

Chip Ganassi will be the Honorary Chairman of the 22nd Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony on Aug. 25 in Detroit.

Ganassi is the first team owner to capture in a single season the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400.

Inductees include NHRA mechanical genius Dale Armstrong; Sprint Car champion, Indy car driver and stunt driver Joie Chitwood; NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki; AMA Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath; the dean of racing broadcasters Ken Squier; Trans-Am champion Jerry Titus; and USAC Sprint and Midget champion Rich Vogler.

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