Takuma Sato and Michael Andretti — IndyCar Image by Shawn Gritzmacher
INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 28, 2017) – Many wondered if an experienced Formula One driver competing for Andretti Autosport could win the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. It happened, just not by the one some expected.
Takuma Sato capped off another thrilling Indianapolis 500 that featured a record number of drivers leading the race. The driver of the No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda edged three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves to the finish line by 0.2011 of a second to become the first Japanese winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Sato passed Castroneves for the lead on Lap 195 – the last of 35 lead changes in the 200-lap race on the historic 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and the seventh straight year that the decisive pass for the Indy 500 lead occurred in the last six laps. Sato held off aggressive charges from Castroneves, the driver of the No. 3 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet, in the sixth-closest finish in Indy 500 history.
After spending seven years in Formula One, Sato came to the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2010. His only previous Indy car victory was in 2013 with AJ Foyt Racing on the streets of Long Beach, California. Sato joined Andretti Autosport this season, and his first oval win today is the fifth for Andretti Autosport in the Indianapolis 500 – including three in the last four years.
“It’s such a privilege to win here,” said Sato, who crashed while battling eventual winner Dario Franchitti for the lead on the final lap of the 2012 Indy 500. “So whether it was the first attempt or eighth attempt or you had a drama in the past, it doesn’t really matter. Winning today, it’s just superb.
“But, yes, I do feel after 2012 I really needed to correct something I left over. Today, I was so happy that I made it and won in a good move.”
Sato is the 71st driver to win an Indianapolis 500 in its 101 runnings. The best previous finish by a Japanese driver was fifth by Tora Takagi in 2003.
Helio Castroneves cracks a smile following his runner-up finish in the Indianapolis 500 — IndyCar Image by Mike Harding
Castroneves overcame a black-flag penalty for jumping a restart and dodged mayhem in two race incidents to finish second at Indy for the third time – making him one of seven drivers with three Indianapolis 500 runner-up finishes. It is the 41st second-place finish of the Brazilian’s 20-year Indy car career, which ranks second all time.
“The Shell Fuel Rewards Chevy team almost got it done today,” said Castroneves, attempting for the 8th straight year to join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears as four-time Indy 500 winners. “It was so close.
“I say, ‘great job’ to my guys,” added Castroneves, who recovered from his worst Indy 500 start (19th) and the pit drive-through penalty to finish runner-up. “They worked their tails off, we saw it all today. We were in the back and we led some laps. We avoided disaster and we almost got (win) No. 4.”
Dale Coyne Racing rookie Ed Jones finished a career-best third. Like Castroneves, Jones had to climb from the rear of the field after having the rear wing assembly on his No. 19 Boy Scouts of America Honda replaced during a pit stop.
“We kept pushing on, kept making up positions,” the 23-year-old from Dubai said. “I had a great Dale Coyne Racing car underneath me the whole way that got me to make those passes. … Congrats to Sato. I didn’t really have the pace for him and Helio at the end, but we did the best we could.”
Fernando Alonso was the most heralded rookie coming into the race. The two-time Formula One champion, who bypassed today’s F1 Monaco Grand Prix to fulfill a dream to drive in the Indy 500, started fifth, ran up front most of the day and led 27 laps in the No. 29 McLaren-Honda-Andretti Honda. Alonso’s race came to a premature conclusion 24th place with a mechanical issue after 179 laps.
“Obviously disappointed not to finish the race because every race you compete, you want to be at the checkered flag,” Alonso said. “Today, (it) was not possible. Anyway, (it) was a great experience, the last two weeks. I came here basically to prove myself, to challenge myself. I know that I can be as quick as anyone in an F1 car. I didn’t know if I can be as quick as anyone in an Indy car.
“Thanks to INDYCAR, an amazing experience,” the 35-year-old Spaniard added. “Thanks to Indianapolis, thanks to the fans. I felt at home. I’m not American, but I felt really proud to race here.”
Despite going a lap down early with handling issues, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Max Chilton led the most laps (50) before finishing fourth. It was the best showing of the 26-year-old Brit’s two-year Verizon IndyCar Series career.
“I don’t think anyone has ever won this race without a little bit of luck,” said Chilton, driver of the No. 8 Gallagher Honda. “When we did end up getting out front, the car was really quick and you can see why this place is so special and so electric in that moment. … To come from a lap down to lead and have a chance to win here at Indy is a massive accomplishment for the whole team.”
A total of 15 drivers led the event, breaking the record of 14 set in 2013.
The race was slowed by 11 cautions periods for a total of 50 laps. A red flag stopped action for 19 minutes to repair the SAFER Barrier and catch fencing in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2. It was the result of a Lap 53 collision between Jay Howard and pole sitter Scott Dixon that vaulted Dixon’s car into the safety materials on the inside of the track. Neither driver was injured.
“I’m just a little beaten up,” said Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Camping World Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. “It was definitely a bit of a rough ride.
“I was hoping that Jay was going to stay against the wall, but obviously, there was the impact. I had already picked that way to go and there was nowhere else to go to avoid him. It was definitely a wild ride. Big thanks to the Holmatro Safety Team, INDYCAR and Dallara and everyone for the safety standards we have on these cars.”
Buddy Lazier was involved in a single-car incident on Lap 122. The 1996 Indy 500 winner spun and contacted the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier in the No. 44 Lazier Racing-StalkIt-Tivoli Lodge Chevrolet. Complaining of chest discomfort, Lazier was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where he was treated and released.
The final caution flag waved on Lap 184 when the cars of James Davison and Oriol Servia touched in Turn 2, sparking a five-car incident that also collected James Hinchcliffe, Josef Newgarden and Will Power. None of the drivers was injured.
Sato becomes the sixth different winner in as many Verizon IndyCar Series races this season and jumps to third place in the standings. Castroneves leads with 245 points while reigning series champion Simon Pagenaud, Sato and Dixon each has 234. Alexander Rossi is fifth in points with 190 after finishing seventh today.
The Verizon IndyCar Series travels to the Raceway at Belle Isle Park for next weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, the only doubleheader weekend on the 2017 schedule. The races air at 3:30 p.m. ET June 3 and 4 on ABC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
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