Takuma Sato News

Takuma Sato leads the IndyCar points race heading into Sunday's Indianapolis 500.

INDIANAPOLIS The month of May started with Takuma Sato having made A.J. Foyt Racing a reigning winner for the first time in 11 years, and nearly repeating, finishing second at Sao Paolo.

They have dinner together. They chat it up on Twitter . They offer congratulations on jobs well done, solace when things don't go so well.

The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday with a wide-open field and a pair of drivers trying to join the elite list of four-time winners.

It still hasn't sunk in that when the Bears' season starts, Lovie Smith won't be patrolling the sidelines and Brian Urlacher won't be the man in the middle.

For Servia and his team, Panther DRR, it's actually more fitting given that Sunday's race isn't just the biggest of the season for this team, it's an all-out battle for survival.

History: Dario Franchitti won under the caution flag after Takuma Sato couldn't quite hang on while making a desperate dive to the inside in the first turn on the final lap.

Crusty team owner A.J. Foyt, a 78-year old American motor racing legend and his driver Takuma Sato, an impeccably groomed 36-year-old from Tokyo who arrived in IndyCar from the glamour world of Formula One.

A.J. Foyt is back at the Indianapolis 500 this weekend with Takuma Sato behind the wheel and perhaps his best chance to win the fabled race as an owner in more than a decade.

Since 1997 Mark One Composites, Inc. has been a destination for teams in need of carbon fiber work, drivers in search of energy-absorbing custom-molded seats and race team members eager for a pick-up game of basketball after work.

Ryan Hunter-Reay 1-9; Tony Kanaan 10-20; Sebastien Bourdais Ryan Hunter-Reay 1-9; Tony Kanaan 10-20; Sebastien Bourdais 21-33; Takuma Sato 34-37; Hunter-Reay 38-44; Kanaan 45; Marco Andretti 46-52; J.R. Hildebrand 53-56; Sato 57-74; Hinchcliffe 75.

At Pocono, it's a whole new thrill. When the open wheel series returns to Pocono Raceway for the first time since 1989, the 400-mile race will start with cars running three across.

Sato was unable to reach his early morning's speed so his best lap in his qualifying run was his first -- 226.071 mph and he will start 18th in the 33-car field.

While confirming North Korea's missile launches Saturday, the Japanese government clarified none of the missiles landed in its territorial waters, Xinhua reported.

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When Takuma Sato strolls into his garage at Indianapolis, he gets a quick glimpse into the two distinct paths that have defined these past 12 months.

Takuma Sato has no interest in returning to Formula One despite putting in some impressive displays in the IndyCar series.

May 16 Honda is expected to announce before the week is out its highly anticipated return to formula one.

MODERATOR: Welcome to the Economaki Press Conference Room. Another Tuesday for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500.

A.J. Foyt Racing's Takuma Sato prepares to hop in his No. 14 car during Sunday's practice session.