Today’s question: 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan announced Feb. 15 the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 28 will be the final race of his illustrious INDYCAR SERIES career. What’s your enduring memory of TK’s career?

Curt Cavin: Although Kanaan won an INDYCAR SERIES championship in 2004, his career should be defined as him being one of the best oval drivers of his generation, particularly at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sure, the highlight of his Indianapolis 500 career was the victory in 2013, but he drove masterfully in so many other races, a set of performances that in many ways is the equal of contemporaries Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon. Kanaan led in his first seven “500s” and 15 of his 21 races to date. Only Dixon – ever! – has led as many of these races in his career. Kanaan enters his final “500” ranked 14th in career laps led, four positions ahead of Castroneves. Keep in mind that while Franchitti, Castroneves and Dixon largely have largely had the same employers, this will be Kanaan’s sixth different team, which supports his ability to adapt and excel with all types of teams. Kanaan has finished in the top three in three different decades and has started on the first two rows a staggering 11 times in 21 races. His consistency at IMS and the tenacious manner in which he has driven are what I will remember most.

Joey Barnes: This one is off the beaten path, but I go back to days when I was a kid watching from the grandstands. In October of 2004 – I had just graduated high school five months prior – at Texas Motor Speedway, I watched Kanaan finish second (he won the June race at TMS, too) behind Helio Castroneves to capture the title. It’s well documented by now he finished every lap that season, which is an incredible accomplishment. When Kanaan took the checkered, the frontstretch was the scene for celebration. As the stage was being set for him to be handed and hoist the trophy, my home track opened the gates to let fans be closer to moment. The confetti flew, the cheers as endless as everyone’s smiles. One of the odd things that stands out in memory was the fact there was a No. 11 Andretti Green Racing Honda in the middle of it all, which wasn’t the one in which he stormed to a runner-up finish, including its battle scars with rubber caked on the nose and down the sidepods – that one was parked elsewhere. Clearly the one in the celebration shots was a likely show car or the backup car for the weekend. Regardless, I had never previously witnessed something like that, especially so close to the emotional scenes. It was remarkable to see fans cheering and crying for their beloved favorite, just as it was incredible to see Kanaan raise the trophy to celebrate as an INDYCAR SERIES champion.

Paul Kelly: Besides the scuffle between Kanaan, Sam Hornish Jr., Hornish’s dad and crew members in 2007 at Watkins Glen? Just kidding – sort of. That was an epic, often-forgotten moment in recent INDYCAR SERIES history that encapsulates what I’ll remember about TK rather than one isolated incident. Kanaan is a huge fan favorite, and it’s easy to see why. He’s gregarious, self-effacing and a winner – an attractive combination. He always takes time to salute and spend time with the fans, and that love is reciprocated. But beneath the cheery, grateful exterior lies the heart and psyche of a street fighter. Kanaan overcame so many obstacles as a kid in Brazil to reach the pinnacle of North American open-wheel racing. His dad died when he was just 13, and the only way Kanaan could continue his racing career and help to support his family was to sleep on the floor of a kart factory and perform menial labor. Every racer scales peaks to reach the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, but Kanaan’s story of perseverance and mental toughness stands out, big time. He never lost that desire to do whatever it takes to compete and win during his 25-year career, one of the reasons why it’s been so tough for him to leave the sport and why his farewell has extended over three years. It’s not going to be easy for TK to find another avenue to channel that spirit, and I wish him well in retirement.