Racing icon Tony Kanaan will welcome attendees to the biggest three days in motorsports business as the headline guest at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show’s annual Grand Opening Breakfast on December 7 in Indianapolis.
An annual tradition for thousands of motorsports professionals from all over the world, the breakfast takes place the morning of the first day of the PRI Show and symbolizes the official start of the three-day event.
“It’s always special to welcome an Indy 500 winner to the PRI Show,” said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. “Not only is Tony a champion on the track, but he’s also a favorite of race fans all over the country, and we’re excited to have him kick off this year’s PRI Show.”
Joined onstage by veteran commentator and announcer Ralph Sheheen, the two will engage in a free-flowing, fun-informative conversation that is sure to be filled with stories from Kanaan’s race-winning career.
Kanaan is an open wheel racing icon with a celebrated 25-year career. Since his debut in 1998, a season in which he won CART Rookie of the Year, Kanaan has captured 17 wins, one IndyCar Series championship, 15 poles and 134 top five finishes.
In 23 career starts in the Indianapolis 500, Kanaan has led a total of 367 laps, including laps in his first seven “500s.” His Indy 500 victory came in 2013, his 12th start at the Brickyard.
Kanaan is IndyCar’s iron man with 389 starts – second only to Mario Andretti – including 318 consecutive starts, a series record. During his 2004 IndyCar Series title winning season, Kanaan became the first IndyCar driver to complete every lap of every race.
He’s won championships in multiple series and events, including Indy Lights, IndyCar, 12 Hours at Sebring (LMP2) and Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Doors to the Grand Opening Breakfast open at 7 a.m., and the program begins at 7:45 a.m. The breakfast is free to all PRI attendees, but guests are advised to arrive early as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 2023 PRI Show takes place December 7-9 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The Show floor opens immediately after the breakfast and will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media. To register, visit PRI2023.com/Attend.
About Performance Racing Industry: Since its inception in 1986, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has fueled the passion for motorsports by building, promoting, and protecting the worldwide racing community. PRI unites the motorsports industry through a membership program that provides market research, education, and legislative action and advocacy. PRI’s monthly business magazine, Performance Racing Industry, and world premier auto racing trade show, the PRI Show in Indianapolis, Ind., are the racing industry’s key source for new technology and trends. For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com.
