Tony Kanaan said today he will apologize to fellow IndyCar Series driver Sam Hornish Jr. for aggressively cutting in front of him at the conclusion of last weekend’s race at Watkins Glen (N. Y.) International.
Kanaan said his action was in anger for their mid-race contact on lap 29 when Hornish passed him. The reaction to Kanaan’s move near the entrance of pit road led to a scuffle that drew national attention. “I just wanted to send a message, ” said Kanaan, who like Hornish was fined for his role in the incident. “Yes, I think I should go up to him and apologize for cutting him off. “
Tony Kanaan said he will apologize to Sam Hornish Jr. this weekend for his part in a fight at Watkins Glen, but didn’t sound contrite.
“If I bump into Sam, I won’t go out of my way to apologize to him, but I will apologize for him for the end lap, if that’s what he’s complaining about, although it doesn’t justify everything else that happened. And we’ll move on, ” Kanaan said in a conference call Wednesday. Kanaan finished fourth in Sunday’s race with Hornish coming in second.
The Indy Racing League’s chief steward could not determine which driver was more at fault after last weekend’s race and pit road altercation at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, so he fined Tony Kanaan and Sam Hornish Jr. equally on Tuesday.
The amount of the fines was not disclosed, per league standard when drivers are involved. Neither driver was immediately available for comment.
Autoblog: Clearly words were said, but both drivers still had their helmets on. Hornish Jr. backs off, but after exiting his car Kanaan follows. Before you know it, Hornish SENIOR, who had begun restraining his son, turns around and plants a nice two-handed shove on Kanaan. Kanaan is literally stunned and stands there with what must be the look to end all looks hidden under his helmet.
AOL Sports: Hornish Jr. vs. Kanaan, Kanaan vs. Hornish Sr., Marco Andretti pushing away his father Michael from the scene, Kanaan walking away and just watching it happen—it’s all magic.
And it really couldn’t be better publicity for the IRL. After all, they are getting some play here on the NASCAR FanHouse, right?
It’s always fun to watch these clips of postrace altercations—especially when its not in NASCAR. Now, at least, people are basically pointing and laughing at the IndyCar series, but in a way that’s not going to hurt the sport.
Indystar.com: “Got down the inside of him and I figured that he knew I was there,’’ Hornish said. “I slowed down and braked for the corner and I was to the inside of him.
“Then he started coming in. But basically we bumped. I was already up on the curb and couldn’t go anywhere else. . . . We both slid a little bit. Obviously, he lost the position to me, then (Darren) Manning going in the next corner.’‘
Kanaan said he and Hornish were simply talking, albeit in loud tones, when Hornish bumped him.
“After you pass 18 (years old) you don’t need to get into a fight,’’ Kanaan said. “We’re grown people, we’re two champions. Why do we need to get involved in that?’‘
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