DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Earlier Wednesday, 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan announced this year’s 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway would be the final NTT IndyCar Series race of his career.
Later that afternoon, Kanaan announced he would drive the famed car No. 66 when he takes the starting grid for Arrow McLaren for the 107th Indianapolis 500 on May 28.
That’s the car number that Mark Donohue drove to the win in the 1972 Indianapolis 500 for Penske Racing. It was the first of team owner Roger Penske’s record 18 Indy 500 wins.
It’s also a nod to Bruce McLaren and McLaren Racing’s heritage in the sport. It commemorates a monumental year and a significant number for the team. Bruce McLaren won at Le Mans in 1966, the same year the McLaren team entered its first Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monaco.
Fernando Alonso raced No. 66 for the team in the Indy 500 in his quest for the Triple Crown.
Kanaan revealed SmartStop as his Primary Partner with Arrow McLaren for his final NTT IndyCar Series race in the 2023 Indianapolis 500.
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop), a self-managed and fully integrated self-storage company, is also a Primary Partner for Felix Rosenqvist’s No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet for three races.
“It’s hard for me to say this is my final NTT IndyCar Series race and Indy 500 without getting emotional and doing so wearing No. 66 and representing iconic moments in racing history make it even more special,” Kanaan said. “I’m thankful for SmartStop’s partnership for this big event.”