Takuma Sato
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

Fans yell from the stands as rain delayed the start of the final practice session 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

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, climbs into his car during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
135K fans: Indy 500 will be largest sports event of pandemic

May. 27, 2021 05:10 PM EDT

FILE - Takuma Sato, of Japan, celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, file photo. Sato is trying to become the sixth driver to win consecutive Indianapolis 500s. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
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

Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, waves to fans after winning the pole for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iceman shakes through head cold to show he's IndyCar's best

By Jenna Fryer May. 24, 2021 05:22 PM EDT

FILE - Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, leads the pack of cars past empty stands in the early laps of the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, file photo. The Indianapolis 500 will be the largest sporting event since the start of the pandemic with 135,000 spectators permitted to attend “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” next month. Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Wednesday, April 21, 2021, it worked with the Marion County Public Health Department to determine 40% of venue capacity can attend the May 30 race. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Column: Vaccine the key to getting 135,000 into Indy 500

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

This photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway shows the funeral procession for Aldo Andretti, twin brother of Mario Andretti, taking a lap around the track before funeral services Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Mario feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew 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. (Chris Owens/Courtesy IMS Photo via AP)
Andretti navigates personal loss, loneliness of pandemic

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

Josef Newgarden, center, celebrates his win with second-place finisher Pato O'Ward, left, and third-place finisher Scott Dixon 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

Takuma Sato, of Japan, winner of the 2020 Indianapolis 500 auto race, poses during the traditional winners photo session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
IndyCar drivers seeking wins as season winds down

Aug. 28, 2020 06:10 PM EDT

Marco Andretti is congratulated James Hinchcliffe, of Canada, and Ryan Hunter-Reay after Andretti won 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

Conor Daly prepares to drive during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
NASCAR champion Pearn up to speed with Daly at Indy 500

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 13, 2020 02:42 PM EDT

Scott Dixon has a change of tires and adjustments made to his car during a pit stop early during an IndyCar auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, June 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dixon wins again at Texas in IndyCar's delayed season opener

By Stephen Hawkins Jun. 06, 2020 02:39 PM EDT