INDYCAR WIN “SPECIAL” AFTER CRASH – SATO
Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver bounces back from criticism for his part in Pocono pile-up with Gateway glory
Takuma Sato said that the support he has received since his involvement in a multi-car accident at Pocono helped make his Indycar Gateway victory more special.
Sato was blamed as the instigator of the five-car accident on the first lap of the last Indycar round at Pocono Raceway, which left Felix Rosenqvist hospitalised and ended the races of
Sato, Ryan Hunter-reay, Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe.
But in the race at Gateway last weekend, Sato went from last to first – with the aid of a lucky yellow – and then held off oval specialists Ed Carpenter and Tony Kanaan over the final stint to claim his fifth
Indycar win, and his second of 2019.
The Rahal Letterman Lanigan
Racing driver thanked the media for “mostly” being fair, praised the crowd for cheering him in the pre-race introductions – although there were some clearly audible jeers, too.
He also expressed his gratitude to team co-owners Bobby Rahal,
Mike Lanigan and David Letterman for the support they showed in the post-pocono fallout.
“I’d like to say thank you very much to all of you in this room,” he said on arrival at the post-race press conference.
“You saw what happened last week. Just a lot of opinion, for sure, and I take it.
“Mostly you guys supported me.
I can’t thank you enough. When we go along to the drivers parade, I think generally speaking at St Louis we have so many enthusiastic fans.
“We’ve seen it in the last few seasons, but this year the cheering, [they were] screaming my name so much.
“I just can’t find the word to thank you for all the support. It was special, particularly after the difficult circumstances.”
Asked if, aside from the Indianapolis 500, his latest triumph was the most gratifying, Sato replied: “Yes. I’m sure. Win and pole for Barber [this year] was very significant: just the domination of the weekend is always great credit for the team, and satisfaction.
“But this win is so special, like you said, beside [the] Indy 500, obviously nothing like it. This is just so emotional; [it] gave me an unbelievable boost.”