You can't stop Tony Kanaan

Evidently "The Nose" needs to get out of the house and away from his crying newborn. Last Saturday Tony Kanaan not only raced for the Andretti Green ALMS entry at Laguna Seca, he helped bring the car home in fourth place.

And because drivers need to keep driving (and Little Leo is probably still wailing night and day) Nariz is going to keep heading westward from Monterey. From Crash.net:

Former IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan is to contest the ninth round of the Japanese Formula Nippon Series at Suzuka next month.

The Brazilian driver has accepted an invitation from Japan Race Promition to contest the event, although the Andretti Green Racing ace will not be eligible to score championship points.

Kanaan has already enjoyed success on Japanese soil in the past, having taken victory in the 2007 Indy Japan at Twin Ring Motegi earlier in the year.

Speaking of an AGR driver in Japan, now would be as good a time as any to say both Curt Cavin and TrackSide Online have confirmed the "likely" favorite for Dario Franchitti's vacated seat is indeed Hideki Mutoh. Panther Racing owner John Barnes is going to need some warm sake.