Popular “Taku” will bid for an Indy 500 trifecta with Team Rahal
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio
Takuma Sato, longtime favorite open-wheel son of Honda Racing, will attempt to join the elite list of three-time Indianapolis 500 champions on May 25th in a one-off ride with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Two-time Indy 500 champion Takuma Sato returns to RLL for the 109th Running of the Indy 500; AMADA AMERICA, Inc. returns as the primary sponsor. Courtesy photo.
RLLR announced that Sato will return to its INDYCAR organization for the 109th edition of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge during the Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Amada America, Inc. _ a leading global machine tool manufacturer and supplier in the sheet metal industry _ again will serve as primary sponsor for Sato’s No. 75 Honda-powered Dallara.
Sato became the first Japanese driver to win the Indy 500 in 2017 for Andretti Autosport, and repeated at IMS in 2020 with RLLR. Sato previously drove for RLLR in 2012 and from 2018-2021 as well as last year’s Indy 500 with primary sponsorship from Amada. “Taku” has six career NTT IndyCar Series victories _ four with Zionsville, Ind.-based RLLR. Sato competed in the series’ oval-only races with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2023 and returned to RLLR in 2024 for the Indy 500.
Takuma Sato in Victory Lane following the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Sunday, August 23, 2020. Photo by James Black
“We’re excited to have Takuma part of our Indy 500 program again,” said Bobby Rahal, team-founder and winner of the 1986 Indy 500. “His experience, talent and bravado at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in particular, is evident by his two wins. The work ethic he brings, in addition to his attention to detail, adds immeasurable value to our program.
“We are thrilled to have Amada return as the primary sponsor for the entry. They continue to be an integral part of our racing programs, not only for the Indy 500. We utilize their equipment on a daily basis and couldn’t be happier with our partnership.”
Takuma Sato celebrates with the Borg Warner Trophey at Monday’s photo shoot at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo by Chris Owens
Sato started 10th in the traditional 33-car field last May 26th after posting a four-lap/10-mile average speed of 232.584 mph en route to a lead-lap, 14th-place finish. Sato posted the second-fastest qualifying speed among Honda-powered drivers in 2024, his 15th start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and sixth with the team founded by Rahal.
The 1992 series champion, Rahal’s business partners are former CBS “Late Show” host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan.
“Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Bobby, Mike, David and the entire organization for this incredible opportunity,” said Sato, a 48-year-old native of Tokyo. “I’m also deeply grateful for the continued support from Amada as the primary sponsor, alongside Panasonic Automotive Systems, Niterra, Deloitte Tohmatsu, NAC, Honda, HRC and all our loyal sponsors.
“The new No. 75 car carries over RLL’s historic design with a refreshed and dynamic new livery _ it looks absolutely stunning. Last year was an incredible experience, reconnecting with the team, and this year, even more familiar faces have joined the effort, which makes this moment even more special and gives me great confidence. I can’t wait to get to work.”
The list of three-time Indy 500 champions features six “Legends of The Brickyard” _ Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnny Rutherford of Fort Worth, Texas, Bobby Unser and Dario Franchitti. Coincidentally, two-time/reigning Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden of Team Penske will be aiming for a record third consecutive win on the 2.5-mile IMS oval this May. Live race-day coverage will start at 10 a.m. (EDT) on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Sato has made 221 INDYCAR starts since his rookie season with KV Racing Technology in 2010, which is seventh among active drivers and 22nd all-time. Takuma’s INDYCAR highlights include an historic win in the 2013 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for Waller, Texas-based A.J. Foyt Racing. Sato’s victory for team founder A.J. Foyt Jr. _ first four-time winner of the Indy 500 _ was the first for a Japanese-born driver in INDYCAR.
Sato also won INDYCAR’s 2018 Portland (Ore.) Grand Prix; 2019 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and Bommarito 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway, with four of the six while driving for RLLR. Of Sato’s 14 podium finishes to-date, 10 have been registered with RLLR, as have three of his 10 INDYCAR poles.
Prior to joining INDYCAR, Takuma competed in 90 FIA Formula One Grand Prixs between 2002-2008 with a best finish of third at the 2004 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is very proud to have Takuma Sato back at the Indy 500,” co-owner Lanigan said. “Takuma has always been quick at the Speedway and his two wins confirm his abilities at ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ I personally look forward with great optimism to be the team that gives Takuma the opportunity to win the trifecta and am thankful to have Amada as primary sponsor again.”
RLLR’s relationship with Amada dates to 2023, when the manufacturer was primary sponsor of the team’s No. 30 entry at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park. In addition to being the primary sponsor of Sato’s 2024 Indianapolis 500 entry, Amada also served as a major associate sponsor of the team’s No. 30 entry at the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, near their Buena Park, Calif., headquarters, and primary sponsor at Portland International Raceway.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with the prestigious Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team and Takuma Sato for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500,” said Mike Guerin, CEO, Amada America, Inc. “This partnership reflects our shared dedication for pushing technological boundaries and achieving peak performance. We look forward to showcasing the synergy between our two organizations on racing’s biggest stage.”
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is in its 34th year of INDYCAR competition with full-time drivers Graham Rahal, Bobby’s son and driver of the No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda; Canadian Devlin DeFrancesco, driver of the No. 30 EVTEC Honda and rookie Louis Foster of Great Britian in the No. 45 Mi-Jack Honda. RLLR has earned 30 INDYCAR wins _ including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Sato _ along with 37 poles, 112 podium finishes and Bobby Rahal’s 1992 series title under sanction of the Championship Auto Racing Teams.
This season’s 17-race NTT IndyCar Series schedule will crisscross the United States before culminating at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., for the championship finale on Sunday, Aug. 31. All on-track action will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and the INDYCAR Radio Network. For more information about the series or team, visit www.indycar.com and www.rahal.com.
Tickets for the 109th Indy 500 and all Month of May activities are on sale at IMS.com, or by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700 or by visiting the ticket office.
