Tony Kanaan ended his 22nd and final Indianapolis 500 buried in the standings with Arrows McLaren SP, but it was still a celebratory day for the Brazilian driver.
A winner at the Speedway in 2013, Kanaan was never in contention for top honours in last Sunday's race. But the 48-year-old, whose consistent presence and competitive spirit at the Brickyard will leave an indelible mark on the event, was determined to celebrate nevertheless.
"I told the guys before we started, right, it was either going to be a win or anything apart from the win we were going to celebrate regardless," Kanaan said.
"I think I would do a disgrace to almost 400,000 people that were there that made me feel the way they did to say I'm sad."
With his infectious smile and charismatic personality, 'TK' became not just a beloved figure in the IndyCar community but also an inspiration to countless aspiring drivers.
Kanaan's unwavering passion, perseverance, and sportsmanship have made him a true legend of the Indy 500, and his legacy will continue to resonate for generations to come.