IRL’s Kanaan, Wheldon slow down off track, but not on it

INDIANAPOLIS — Race car drivers have a reputation of being daredevils in a dangerous business, surrounded by beautiful women, living the good life.

It’s true that drivers can make millions of dollars and often do live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, but IRL IndyCar Series stars Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon have left the playboy life behind.

Kanaan can hardly wait to get home each day to wife Daniele and their 8-month-old son, Leonardo, even if that home is only a motor coach parked at a racetrack. Wheldon is a starry-eyed newlywed, who hates being separated from wife Susie anytime other than when he’s in his race car.

Even so, both are among the favorites for the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, and they insist their new lifestyle isn’t slowing them down a bit on the track.

The big difference for each of the former IndyCar champions is what it has done to their mind-set off the track.

Kanaan said one example of how he has changed came in March at the season-opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he dominated the race and was crashed out by a lapped car near the end.

“After Homestead, I’m set to go back to the bus and be so mad, but I went back to the bus and played with my kid,” the 33-year-old said. “So I guess I found a way to be able to actually not be so stressed about a race that didn’t go right.

“Last year, here, if I had (Leonardo) in the bus, it would have been a lot easier to deal with what happened to me,” added Kanaan, who lost his shot at an Indy victory when rain cut the 500 short, leaving then-Andretti Green Racing teammate Dario Franchitti as the winner.

Marriage has completely changed life for Wheldon, an Englishman whose reputation as a ladies man was well-known in the IRL.

“I have to try and keep it respectful because, certainly in my single days, I enjoyed myself a lot,” Wheldon said. “You know, I’m in America on my own, or I certainly was.

“Away from the racetrack, I’m not saying I was ever out of control or anything, but there’s never been that stability there,” the 29-year-old said. “It’s like I was always bouncing from one place to the other, following the action. Now I have the stability, and it’s helped me as far as fitness, diet and, certainly, maturity.”

The changes began for Wheldon when he realized that longtime personal assistant Susie Behm had become a necessary part of his life and more than just a friend.

“Now that I’m married to Susie, I wish I’d ask her to marry me sooner,” said Wheldon, who was married just days before the Homestead race. “I’ve only been married for a short period of time, but it is peaceful. When you leave the racetrack, you get another balanced opinion and somebody to share your happiness, or even your disappointment, with. I’ve never had that.”

Scott Dixon, Wheldon’s 27-year-old teammate with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, is also a newlywed having married last fall.

The biggest change in the New Zealander, who beat out Wheldon for the Indy pole, is that wife Emma has helped him become more outgoing.

“I’d just say everything’s changed for the good,” Dixon said. “When you get married, do you change a lot? I don’t think you should. I think it’s been pretty similar for myself. It’s just I’ve gotten better in certain areas.”

Two-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves remains a bachelor at 33 after breaking off an engagement last year.

But he has taken note of the way fellow Brazilian and longtime friend Kanaan and friendly rivals Wheldon and Dixon have changed.

“I don’t have that, but I understand what they’re talking about,” Castroneves said. “I feel confident. I feel mature. But, probably, when I find someone, I will go through the same things.

“I’m glad they are in that situation,” he added. “There’s an old story in racing that when a guy gets married, he slows down. As you can see, they’re not slowing down at all.”

So how have his friends and rivals changed?

“They tend to be a little more patient and not so stubborn,” Castroneves said. “My personality is not like that anyway, but people sometimes need a better half to balance your life.

“I remember discussing that with (former Team Penske teammate) Gil de Ferran. A lot of times we have a conversation about getting married and having kids, which he did, and I would say, ‘I don’t see myself there.’ But now I understand and, hopefully, one day I will be there.”

And, even for Castroneves, his personal life is already changing, with sister Katie, ready to make him an uncle for the first time in July.

“It’s something new,” Castroneves said, grinning. “I’m getting older and it’s nice to see.”

And, despite all the changes that are occurring in their personal lives, all of them remain dedicated to driving race cars.

“I think we’re all the same,” Kanaan said. “I know once I’m in the race car, I’m the same Tony. The only thing that has changed is my personal life.”