Arrow McLaren Names Tony Kanaan as Team Principal

IndyCar Career:

Kanaan appeared in 296 IndyCar races over the span of 23 years, making his debut in 2002 as a one-off entry into the Indianapolis 500 and then starting full-time in 2003. His first win came in the second race that season at the 2003 Purex Dial Indy 200 in Phoenix. In his first full season, Kanaan would finish 4th in the championship.

The year after that, he won in Phoenix for the second straight year, the Bombardier 500 at Texas Motor Speedway and the Firestone Indy 200 at Nashville Superspeedway to secure the championship.

In his career, he earned 16 victories, including the 2013 Indianapolis 500. After starting 11th, Kanaan made his way up and battled for the lead. On lap 197, Kanaan took the lead on a restart for a crash by Graham Rahal with Carlos Muñoz. The race finished under caution, and Kanaan finally won a “500” in his twelfth start, tying Sam Hanks as the most experienced driver to win.

In 2020 and 2021, he lessened his role as he ran a partial schedule, driving on oval courses. Then, eventually just running in the “500” in 2022 and 2023.

The Brazilian racing driver made his first and last appearance with Arrow McLaren racing in his final Indianapolis 500 in 2023.

Rising the ranks at Arrow McLaren

Since 2023, he has taken on roles increasingly influential within the organization, evolving from a special advisor to deputy team principal, a position he held two months before McLaren parted ways with its team principal Gavin Ward this offseason, to now assuming the team principal role.

“A lot has happened since my last Indy 500 less than two years ago, to say the least,” Kanaan said in an IndyCar article. “I’ve embraced every opportunity to grow with the team, and I’m excited to officially step into the team principal role, and having Kevin join to take on the business side of our team is part of our winning strategy. We’re always looking for good people and talent to make the team stronger, and he and I will work well together.”

As his role of team principal, Kanaan will oversee team and driver development and key commercial relationships.

Who is Kevin Thimjon?

Kevin Thimjon will be joining Arrow McLaren as the president. He will lead the team’s business operations, including finance, commercial strategy, and administration, supporting the team’s long-term growth and operational efficiency. 

His extensive leadership through his experience from roles at Core BTS, Lids Sports Group, and Just Marketing International (JMI).

Thimjon also joins the McLaren Racing Executive Team under CEO Zak Brown.

Thimjon and Brown worked together at JMI for several years, and are confident that their past relationship together will help grow a team and brand that has a lot of unlocked potential.

Kannan’s expertise in racing and Thimjon’s expertise in business, Zak is certain that the two will help grow McLaren in the right direction for long-term success.

“Under Tony’s leadership, the team has been moving forward quickly, and he and Kevin will work well together to keep that positive momentum up. Our sights are set on how we stabilize and grow strategically while competing at the top,” Brown said.

Including the pair of moves Thursday, Arrow McLaren’s leadership team is comprised of Brad O’Brien, vice president of finance; Brian Barnhart, general manager; Lauren Gaudion, vice president of marketing and communications; Sophie Markakis-Smith, chief of staff; Nick Snyder, technical director; and Scott Harner, director of racing operations.