Kanaan getting up to speed with new IndyCar team

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Tony Kanaan's crew members are wearing name tags, and Kanaan is wearing them out with requests.

Although it's been a hectic week trying to get up to speed with his thrown-together team, Kanaan feels like they are way ahead of schedule. Qualifying proved it.

Kanaan earned the eighth starting spot in Sunday's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a solid effort considering everything started taking shape Monday.

Just last week, it looked like the 2004 series champion might have to sit out the start of the 2011 season.

Andretti Autosport parted ways with Kanaan last fall after eight seasons and 14 wins. But the 36-year-old Brazilian turned to close friend Jimmy Vasser, co-owner of KV Racing Technology. They've been catching up since.