Foyt team confirms Kanaan for 2018

"I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to build something where we can make history, and for me that’s what racing’s all about,” said Kanaan. “Yes it is about the wins, but it’s also about the people, the people that you’re associated with. We’re going to make some history."

The multiyear deal reunites Kanaan with engineer Eric Cowdin (pictured, center, with Kanaan and Foyt), who was with the Brazilian for his Indy win with KV Racing Technology as well as his 2004 IndyCar championship season with Andretti-Green Racing. The team's long-time sponsor ABC Supply Co. will continue to back Kanaan's No. 14 entry.

"What I like about Tony is that he always charges – win, lose or draw," team owner A.J. Foyt said. "The boys we've had have been good boys, don't get me wrong, but they just aren't the quality that Tony Kanaan is. When we had a chance to get him, we did it. We wanted him real bad. I think it's going to move AJ Foyt Racing up a bit."

Kanaan, 42, competed in his 20th season of IndyCar racing this year this year. 

"I'm thrilled to have Tony Kanaan joining the team," team president Larry Foyt said. "We have known he would be a great fit for our team and our sponsors, and I'm glad the deal came together. Tony wants to win, and we want to win. I know he and I will be pushing each other to get the best results we can. With the new aero kit, I feel Tony's experience in many different iterations of Indy cars will be a great asset as we prepare and test for the upcoming season."

"I would like to thank A.J. and Larry for the opportunity to join the team," said Cowdin, who earned his degrees in aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (B.S. in 1991) and Virginia Tech (Masters in 1993). "I'm looking forward to continuing my long relationship with TK and reuniting with the folks at Chevy. We have a big challenge ahead of us with the new universal aero kit and I can't wait to get started."

For the first time since 1966, the No. 14 car will be operated out of a location other than Texas as it will move to Foyt's Indianapolis race shop. The No. 4 car will now be based in the Waller, Texas race shop. The team has not yet made a decision on the driver of the No. 4 car.

Kanaan, who has expressed his desire to drive for Indy's first four-time champion in the past, added, "As a driver, you want to be on a team that works around you, that will build the stuff around you and for you, but also, if I can have a person like A.J. to help me, even at this point of my career, it's awesome. He's a legend in many ways in my book.

"I'm 42 and I keep hearing that I'm getting old, but I know a guy who retired when he was 58! That gives me a lot of hope."