Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race on Sunday at Long Beach
Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race on Sunday at Long Beach.
Last Updated: 22/04/13 8:58am
The win came in Sato's 52nd career start, and the first for A.J. Foyt Racing since Airton Dare won in Kansas in 2002.
Only the Texan wasn't on hand to make his first-ever trip to Long Beach's Victory Lane a sciatic nerve problem keeping him away from tne iconic Californian track.
It was redemption for Sato, who probably is best known for crashing on the final lap of last year's Indianapolis 500 while driving for Bobby Rahal.
But two races earlier, at Long Beach, he was headed to a podium finish when Ryan Hunter-Reay spun him on the final lap.
On Sunday, the former BAR Honda F1 driver showed plenty of composure to hold off Graham Rahal and take the chequered flag.
"It was just a perfect weekend to be honest," Sato said. "The team did a tremendous job. Pit stops, right calls, the power was great, and I was comfortable in the car and able to push everything.
"It is great news for the Japanese. I'm really happy to give everybody some good news to wake up to because it's very early Japanese time."
Team director and race strategist Larry Foyt added: "It made me so nervous watching it out there. He just drove a flawless race. I've never seen a race like that. Just a perfect race. It just all came together."
