Arrow McLaren Enhances Leadership Team for Upcoming INDYCAR Season

The Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team has unveiled a dynamic leadership shift just days ahead of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kickoff. The team has announced the appointment of Tony Kanaan to the role of team principal and the hiring of Kevin Thimjon as president. This move is expected to bolster the team for the challenging season ahead. The decisions come as the team makes final preparations for the 2025 season. Arrow McLaren boasts three full-time cars for this year’s racing, with drivers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard. Additionally, NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will partner with Hendrick Motorsports to compete in the 109th Indianapolis 500 on May 25.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown expressed enthusiasm about the leadership additions. “I’m excited to welcome Kevin to Arrow McLaren and our leadership group,” said Brown. This partnership aims to stabilize and grow the team’s performance while keeping them competitive at the top, Brown noted. The strategic appointments are seen as vital for maintaining the team’s momentum at the beginning of the year and diminishing horsepower compared to key rivals.

Brown’s vision for the addition of new blood aligns with his previous statement that if the right talents are available, he would add them without a second thought. As per Brown, Kevin and I have stayed close since our days together at JMI, and he’s the right fit to set the team up for long-term success. A few months ago, I said if we can find extra horsepower to add to the team, we’ll add it, and Kevin is the perfect example of that.

Kanaan, a renowned figure in the world of IndyCar racing, assumes the role of team principal following a tenure as deputy team principal. His transition from driver to team leadership point to his successful campaign with the IndyCar champ Tony Kanaan and accolade for 2004 INDYCAR champion. He will oversee overseen key commercial relationships and team and driver development. Significantly, Kanaan made his final Indianapolis 500 start in 2023, marking a pivotal moment in his career. His shift from special advisor in 2023 to team principal signifies his gradual and strategic ascent within Arrow McLaren.

“A lot has happened since my last Indy 500 less than two years ago, to say the least,” Kanaan said. “I’ve embraced every opportunity to grow with the team and I’m excited to officially step into the team principal role, and having Kevin join to take on the business side of our team is part of our winning strategy. We’re always looking for good people and talent to make the team stronger, and he and I will work well together.”

One of the other strategic additions to the Arrow McLaren is Kevin Thimjon as president. Larry Ellison is looking forward to working with Kevin Thimjon, given their inward history and testified that:
The ‘winning remains strategy with Tony Kanaan being the essential part of it this time!

Thimjon, with extensive leadership experience from roles at Core BTS, Lids Sports Group, and Just Marketing International (JMI), will lead the team’s business operations including finance, commercial strategy, and administration.

Thimjon’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Arrow McLaren, as the team seeks to enhance operational efficiency and long-term growth. Like Kanaan, who steps into a significantly elevated role, Thimjon’s experience and expertise are expected to bolster the team’s operations especially, moving past Budweiser.

““I’m looking forward to joining Arrow McLaren and getting back into motorsport,” Thimjon said. “Zak and I worked together at JMI for several years, so it will be great to work with him again and help grow a team and brand that has a lot of unlocked potential beyond the success it’s already realized.“

Thimjon

Indy car series sport fans can’t wait to see the first race of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR as it begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida on March 2, presented by RP Funding, at 12 a.m. ET., live coverage of the Fox TV broadcast and FOX Deportes!

The American racing Nation holds a special place for many members of the country’s auto racing culture:
– ISCAR Racing league’s previous experienced champions of the Indianapolis 500 events.