The Move That Wasn't

The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Tony Kanaan, who has driven for Andretti/Green Racing since he first joined the IndyCar Series in 2003, has resigned with them for a further five years. This comes as a bit of a suprise to many, especially those who saw a recent article by Speed TV.com's Robin Miller.

Miller, who is usually has first-rate sources, wrote just two days ago that Kanaan was in the final stages of negotiating a deal to move to Ganassi Racing for the '09 season, as a replacement for Dan Wheldon. Given the recent state of "turmoil" at AGR, where Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick are seen by many observers, both fans and journalists, to be lacking a co-opeative team spirit, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Tk was looking for the exit door.

Now comes news that Kanaan has decided to stay put: he has re-upped with AGR for the next five seasons.  "I went to bed on Wednesday night thinking about my career options but when I woke up Thursday morning I was convinced I wanted to stay with my guys at AGR," Kanaan told reporters.

AGR co-owner Kevin Savoree is understandably happy. “He’s an original part of Andretti Green Racing,” he said. “This means a lot to all of us.”

Meanwhile, Chip Ganassi is left to scratch his head and wonder what just happened. "It's unbelievable. I talked to him (Kanaan) on Wednesday night and he said we were fine, we were great and we're a go. "Then I get a call from his agent who says Tony has flipped and he's staying with AGR. He said something about Tony not liking one of the clauses in the contract but I didn't change anything."