Skip to content

Takuma Sato edges out Helio Castroneves to win Indy 500

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in Indy 500 history, a Japanese-born driver has won the title.

Honda driver Takuma Sato breathtakingly won the 101st running of the Indy 500, passing veteran Chevrolet driver Helio Castroneves with only five laps to go, beating him by 0.200 of a second.

Sato is the first 40-year-old driver to win the title since Eddie Cheever Jr. in 1998, according to ESPN Stats & Info. In his previous seven starts, his best finish was 13th place.

In 2012, Sato bravely attempted to pass eventual winner Dario Franchitti on the final lap but crashed, ultimately costing him a chance at the title.

"Unbelievable feeling. It was a tough tough race. Hopefully the crowd enjoyed it. I can’t thank enough for everyone’s support," Sato said after the win.

Castroneves meanwhile, fell just short of capturing his fourth Indy 500 championship. He performed well on Sunday, improving 17 spots from his official starting position. It's the second time in the past four years that Castroneves has finished in second place.

"I keep trying. It's unbelievable. I couldn't do what he was doing," Castroneves said after the race, according to Scott Horner of the Indy Star.

Final results

Place Driver Car
1 Takuma Sato Honda
2 Helio Castroneves Chevrolet
3 Ed Jones Honda
4 Max Chilton Honda
5 Tony Kanaan Honda
6 Juan Pablo Montoya Chevrolet
7 Alexander Rossi Honda
8 Marco Andretti Honda
9 Gabby Chaves Chevrolet
10 Carlos Munoz Chevrolet
11 Ed Carpenter Chevrolet
12 Graham Rahal Honda

Sunday's edition of the 101st Indy 500 wasn't without some wild, and at times terrifying, moments. On lap 53, pole sitter Scott Dixon and Honda teammate Jay Howard were involved in a very scary collision, costing both driver's their day on the track.

Luckily and perhaps miraculously, Dixon - who got the worst of the crash - wasn't seriously injured, despite eventually being placed in a walking boot.

Related: Fernando Alonso's race ends as engine blows on lap 179

Another major storyline heading into the race involved the participation of two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso, who skipped the Monaco Grand Prix in order to make his Indy 500 debut on Sunday. He was in the lead several times throughout the day, but engine failure cost him his chance at a title on lap 179.

A race that saw over 300,000 people attend the celebrated event, history was made on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Throughout the 200 laps, 15 different leaders emerged on the day, the most in race history according to Zak Keefer of Indy Star Sports.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox