Information from KV Racing Technology--
They may not have driven the car, but a pair of Bay Area residents own the team and provided the inspiration and leadership which led to Tony Kannan’s historic victory at the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Successful venture capitalist, Kevin Kalkhoven (right in photo), who resides in Alamo, California and Jimmy Vasser (left), the 1996 IndyCar Champion, who was raised in the Bay Area and has a vineyard and car dealerships in Napa, California, are the owners of KV Racing Technology which fielded the winning entry at last weekend’s event, known as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“This is the culmination of many years of hard work by a lot of people. I am just so happy for Tony, the team and our sponsors, Hydroxycut, Mouser Electronics, Plantronics, Bryant Heating and Cooling, GEICO, everyone. It was an outstanding race and I just can’t say enough about the job Tony and the crew did,” Kalkhoven said.
Vasser, who handled the pit-to-car communications for Kanaan’s race, is one of the most respected names in open-wheel racing. He competed in eight Indy 500’s, but never made it to victory lane (finished fourth in 1994 and 2001).
The native of Californian, who owns some of the finest credentials in U.S. open-wheel racing history, joined KV Racing Technology in the dual roles of owner and driver in 2004. He drove Indy cars for 14 seasons, plus one race in 2006 and 2008, however his prime years were spent away from the Indy 500 due to the CART-IRL split (he did win three 500-mile races in his career).
A determined and consistent competitor, Vasser, who was runner-up in the championship in1998 and third in 1997, was a perennial championship contender finishing in the top-10 in the championship standings in nine of his last 11 full seasons (concluding with the 2005 season).
Commenting on the victory Vasser said, “All the credit goes to Tony and the team. I have been around this place for a long time (Indianapolis Motor Speedway). It is a tough race. Just when you think you have it figured out it comes back and bites you. I want to thank all of our sponsors and manufacturers. I own a Chevrolet dealership in Napa, so this is a big win for all of us. I also want to thank Firestone for producing such a durable tire. Finally, I want to thank our good friends Alex Zanardi and Max Papis for showing up and cheering us on. I just could not be happier or prouder of Tony and the team.”
Kanaan’s victory, which featured a record 68 lead changes and was run at a record average speed of 187.433 mph (including yellow flag laps), is one of the most popular in recent memory. Driver’s, team members and fans all stood to cheer for one of the most talented drivers ever to strap on a helmet.
Kanaan, who made his 12th Indy 500 start (the 201st consecutive start of his career, ironically just 10 short of the record held by Vasser) capped years of frustration at the Brickyard with the victory. After what can only be describe as several incidents of bad luck over the years, Kanaan, in the #11 HYDROXYCUT – KV Racing Technology – SH Racing Chevrolet/Firestone, drove a great race and in the end, got that bit of luck that had been missing.
Kanaan placed himself in a position to win late in the competition and then, on the final restart, ducked under leader Ryan Hunter-Reay. Shortly thereafter Dario Franchitti made contact with the wall with two laps remaining bringing out the yellow flag.
The race concluded under the caution with Kanaan in the lead capturing his first and the team’s first Indy 500. .
Kalkhoven, who founded KV Racing Technology in 2003 and co-owns Cosworth and the immensely popular Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, was the President, CEO and Chairman of JDS Uniphase and co-founded the venture firm KPLJ Ventures LLC..
Kalkhoven was noted in May, 2000 Worth magazine as one of America’s Top 50 CEOs. He was named the No. 5 Most Powerful and Influential person in Racer Magazine’s 2005 Power and Influence in Racing (Nov., 2005 issue). A noted philanthropist, Kalkhoven is a principle benefactor to the Mayo Clinic and has donated substantially to the Canary Foundation, which is dedicated to the early detection of cancer. He is also a trustee of the Lizard Island Marine Research Station on Australia’s Barrier Reef.
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