Takuma Sato
FILE - Sebastien Bourdais of France drives A.J. Foyt Racing's flagship No. 14 Chevrolet through the first turn during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 22, 2021. Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood, the most well-rounded driver of the next wave of young IndyCar newcomers, has at last found an open seat and will drive for A.J. Foyt Racing next season. Kirkwood will drive Foyt's No. 14 Chevrolet, the team said Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Lights champ Kyle Kirkwood lands IndyCar seat with Foyt

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 10, 2021 11:01 AM EST

FILE - Jack Harvey is shown before the start of an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., in this Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, file photo. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing confirmed the worst kept secret in IndyCar on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, when British driver Jack Harvey was officially added to its 2022 lineup. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Jack Harvey makes IndyCar move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 11, 2021 09:51 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020 file photo, Takuma Sato, of Japan, celebrates with Bobby Rahal after Sato won the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The future of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato in the IndyCar Series was put in doubt Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 when Rahal Letterman Lanigan said the Japanese racer would not return to the team.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato out at Rahal for 2022

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 05, 2021 07:13 PM EDT

Indycar driver Simon Pagenaud, from France, makes the turn onto Seaside Way from Pine Avenue during the final practice session for the Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP)
Column: Pagenaud joins rare club of drivers to leave Penske

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 27, 2021 06:21 PM EDT

ARCHIVO- En esta foto de archivo, Alex Palou, de España, se prepara para participar en las 500 Millas de Indianápolis. La mala noticia para Palou es que nunca ha corrido en Laguna Seca, la penúltima fecha de la temporada de IndyCar. La buena es que quienes le pueden quitar el campeonato tampoco tienen mucha experiencia. (AP Foto/Darron Cummings, Archivo)
IndyCar soars into Laguna Seca celebrating strong season

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 18, 2021 05:30 PM EDT

Driver Alex Palou, front right, poses by his car and team after winning the first pole of his career during qualifying for Sunday's IndyCar auto race, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Palou takes pole at Portland, eyes IndyCar points lead

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 11, 2021 05:43 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden (2) looks up during the national anthem before the start an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
IndyCar surges out west for 3-race championship close

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 10, 2021 02:21 PM EDT

Santino Ferrucci (45) races during the first race of the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix auto racing doubleheader on Belle Isle in Detroit Saturday, June 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ferrucci shifts back to NASCAR still looking for a full ride

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 09, 2021 03:43 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden celebrates in victory lane after winning an IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, Sunday, July 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Newgarden powers through 2 defeats, gets 1st win at last

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 05, 2021 03:09 AM EDT

Rinus VeeKay (21) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (28) race off pit lane during the first race of the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix auto racing doubleheader on Belle Isle in Detroit Saturday, June 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
VeeKay, Rosenqvist make IndyCar return, Newgarden out front

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 02, 2021 12:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 12, 2021, file photo, Josef Newgarden drives during the first race of the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix auto racing doubleheader on Belle Isle in Detroit. Newgarden won the pole position Saturday, June 19, for Sunday’s IndyCar race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Newgarden earns pole for IndyCar race at Road America

By Steve Megargee Jun. 19, 2021 04:34 PM EDT

Marcus Ericsson, of Sweden, prepares to drive during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Thursday, May 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Former F1 drivers see European interest growing in IndyCar

By Michael Marot Jun. 05, 2021 03:07 AM EDT

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, is congratulated by Takuma Sato, of Japan, after Castroneves, won the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dixon, other big-name drivers struggle through Indy 500

By Michael Marot May. 30, 2021 04:48 PM EDT

Ryan Hunter-Reay prepare to drives in the final practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Buzzing again: Indy 500 is biggest sports event of pandemic

By Jenna Fryer May. 28, 2021 03:14 PM EDT

The home of Veronica and Beth Shook, mother and daughter, decorated as part of the Spectacle of Homes contest to be featured ahead of the Indianapolis 500 auto race, is shown Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Indianapolis. Because the traditional parade has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, drivers will instead cruise by homes that have been decorated to celebrate the 105th running of the race. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Front Yard of Bricks: Fans embrace Indy 500 traditions

By Jenna Fryer May. 27, 2021 05:59 PM EDT

1969 Indianapolis 500 champion Mario Andretti signs autographs for fans during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
135K fans: Indy 500 will be largest sports event of pandemic

May. 27, 2021 05:10 PM EDT

Fans watch the start of the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
AUTO RACING: Crown jewel races arrive for NASCAR, IndyCar

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2021 06:13 PM EDT

The helmet of Simona De Silvestro, of Switzerland, shows a logo during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
NBC hopes for more IndyCar as contract comes to an end

By Jenna Fryer May. 26, 2021 05:54 PM EDT

Takuma Sato, of Japan, signs an autograph for a fan during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indy 500 winner Sato wants third race victory and a party

By Dan Gelston May. 26, 2021 01:11 PM EDT

Takuma Sato, of Japan, signs an autograph for a fan during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Sato set for overdue celebration of last year's Indy 500 win

May. 25, 2021 04:25 PM EDT