Takuma Sato
FILE - In this July 17, 2020, file photo, driver Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, stands next to his car during qualifying for an IndyCar Series auto race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Kanaan’s supposed farewell tour last year fizzled amid nearly empty tracks. Then he was given another chance to extend his IndyCar career, this time before fans. His first two races come this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Palou on pole for IndyCar at Texas after qualifying canceled

May. 01, 2021 03:54 PM EDT

People drive up for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. With a green light from federal health officials, several states resumed use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine on Saturday. Among the venues where it's being deployed is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where free vaccinations were available to anyone 18 or older. (Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star via AP)
Column: Vaccine the key to getting 135,000 into Indy 500

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 26, 2021 06:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 25, 1997, file photo, John Andretti, left, grins as his wife Nancy hugs his father Aldo after the younger Andretti won the pole for the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Mario Andretti feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew John lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
Andretti navigates personal loss, loneliness of pandemic

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 19, 2021 07:13 PM EDT

FILE - Haas driver Romain Grosjean, of France, poses for a photo at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, in this Thursday, March 12, 2020, file photo. The IndyCar season begins with three new drivers for the season-opener at Barber Motorsports Park. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will be a 45-year-old rookie in a class that includes Romain Grosjean from Formula One and V8 Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
O'Ward sets track record at Barber, Johnson ready for debut

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 17, 2021 12:46 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Apr. 15, 2021 11:17 AM EDT
April 20 1912 — Fenway Park opens in Boston with the Red Sox beating the New York Yankees 7-6 in 11 innings. Tiger Stadium in Detroit also...

FILE - Santino Ferrucci drives into turn one during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, file photo. Ferrucci has landed a ride for the Indianapolis 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The team finished first and third in last year's race with Takuma Sato and Graham Rahal, while Ferrucci was fourth. Now RLL will return to Indy with a driver lineup that claimed three of the top four spots a year ago.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Ferrucci lands Indy 500 seat with defending winner Rahal

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 05, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

Scott Dixon kisses his wife Emma Davies after winning the NTT IndyCar Series Championship following an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Newgarden wins IndyCar finale but can't deny Dixon 6th title

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 25, 2020 05:22 PM EDT

Sato signs extension for 2021 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 24, 2020 09:23 AM EDT
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato will return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing next year for a fourth season. ...

Josef Newgarden leads Jack Harvey, of England, into a turn an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Dixon's struggles open door to Newgarden for IndyCar title

By Michael Marot Oct. 04, 2020 12:25 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden steers his car during a practice session for an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dixon, Honda look to wrap up IndyCar titles at Indianapolis

By Michael Marot Oct. 01, 2020 07:22 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden pits during the IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
IndyCar champion Newgarden wins at Gateway under caution

By Ken Roberts Aug. 30, 2020 06:23 PM EDT

Fans socially distance in the stands due to COVID-19 as they watch the IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Dixon beats Sato at Gateway in reverse finish of Indy 500

By Ken Roberts Aug. 29, 2020 07:52 PM EDT

Alexander Rossi prepares to drive before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. The 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race is scheduled to run on Sunday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
IndyCar drivers seeking wins as season winds down

Aug. 28, 2020 06:10 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) does a burnout after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 05:03 PM EDT

Takuma Sato, left center, of Japan, celebrates with car owners Michael Lanigan, left, David Letterman, center right, and Bobby Rahal after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Sato content after winning 2nd Indy 500 under caution

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 24, 2020 03:22 AM EDT

Graham Rahal makes his final pit stop during the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Sato, Rahal give Rahal Letterman Lanigan banner Indy 500

By Dave Skretta Aug. 23, 2020 07:12 PM EDT

Takuma Sato, of Japan, leads Marco Andretti into turn one during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Latest: Sato wins 2nd Indy 500 as race ends under yellow

By The Associated Press Aug. 23, 2020 02:09 PM EDT

Takuma Sato, center, of Japan, kneels along the start-finish line after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Takuma Sato wins his second Indianapolis 500 at empty track

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 23, 2020 12:36 PM EDT

Rinus VeeKay, of the Netherlands, takes off his helmet during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Chevy drivers hoping Honda's edge closes during Indy 500

By Michael Marot Aug. 16, 2020 05:05 PM EDT

Marco Andretti reacts after winning the pole for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
An Andretti wins 1st Indy 500 pole for family in 33 years

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 16, 2020 04:12 PM EDT