Two-Time Indy 500 Winner Takuma Sato Back For 110th Indianapolis 500

Takuma Sato shares a laugh with last year's pole winner Robert Shwartzman as Pato O'Ward looks on during the 2025 Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photo at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

IndyCar Photo

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winning driver Takuma Sato came close to winning his third Indy 500 in 2024, leading the most laps in the race with 51 before finishing ninth in the No. 75 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan.

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Sato is back with RLL in 2026 in the No. 75 for the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Sato, will return to the team for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. AMADA AMERICA, Inc., a leading global machine tool manufacturer and supplier in the sheet metal industry, will return as the primary sponsor for 2017 and 2020 Indy 500 winner Sato’s No. 75 Honda-powered entry in the May 24 event as they were in 2024 and 2025.

“We are thrilled to have Takuma back with the team for the Indy 500," said team owner Bobby Rahal. "If there is a place he knows his way around, it's Indy. He did a fabulous job in qualifying last year and it was just a shame what happened in the race because I think, clearly, he was the class of the field. He is a forever young guy and he brings a lot of positive energy to the team and everyone feeds off of that. It’s been a great relationship for a number of years now and I’m pleased that he wants to come back for the 500, and pleased that it is with us. We’re proud to welcome AMADA back as the primary sponsor of the entry. They’ve been a tremendous partner to our team well beyond the Indy 500, and their equipment plays a big role in our day-to-day operations. It’s a relationship we value greatly.”

Takuma Sato with team owner Bobby Rahal in 2025.

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The popular Japanese driver will attempt to qualify for his 17th Indianapolis 500 in 2026 and is aiming for his third victory in the legendary race after contending for the win last year.

Takuma Sato’s Fantastic Indianapolis 500 Record

In 2025, Sato earned his second front-row start for the team (third overall, after 2020) with a career-best starting position of second. He led the first 51 of 88 laps — the most in the race — before a pit error dropped him to a ninth-place finish. Despite the setback, he was the highest-qualifying Honda-powered driver among the 15 Honda entries, starting second.

“The moment the checkered flag fell at the 2025 Indy 500, our preparation for the 110th running had already begun. I’m incredibly excited to continue this journey with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as we take on unfinished business," Sato said. "A sincere thank you to Bobby, Mike (Lanigan, team owner), David (Letterman, team owner), and everyone at RLL for their belief and commitment.

"It’s an honor to once again represent AMADA as the primary partner, alongside Panasonic Automotive Systems, Niterra, Deloitte Tohmatsu, NAC, Honda, HRC, and all of our loyal sponsors who make this challenge possible. Last year, we showed tremendous speed and strong potential. Now, we return even more focused, more prepared, and more determined. The Indy 500 is always special, but this year carries extra excitement. I can’t wait to reunite with the team, see all the familiar faces, and start building momentum toward May.”

Takuma Sato in wild racing action in last year's Indianapolis 500.

Photoy by Joe Skibinski

Takuma Sato’s Close Relationship with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Sato competed for RLL in 2012 and from 2018-2021 as well as the two previous Indy 500’s with primary sponsorship from AMADA. He has earned six NTT INDYCAR SERIES wins, four of which have come with RLL, including the team’s second Indy 500 win in 2020. Sato competed in oval races with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2023 and returned to RLL in 2024 for the Indy 500. He set the second fastest qualifying speed of Honda-powered drivers in 2024, his 15th time to participate in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and sixth with RLL.

The team's relationship with AMADA goes back to 2023 when the manufacturer was the primary sponsor of the team's No. 30 entry at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park on April 30, 2023. In addition to being the primary sponsor of Sato’s entry in the 2024 Indianapolis 500, they were also 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.

“Takuma has always been fast at the Speedway, and his two wins prove his talent on racing’s biggest stage," Lanigan said. "I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish together and excited for the opportunity to help him chase a third Indy 500 victory. We’re also grateful to have AMADA return as the primary sponsor of Takuma’s entry at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Takuma Sato proudly raises the flag of Japan.

Photo by CHRIS OWENS

Sato, a native of Tokyo, Japan, has made 222 starts in the INDYCAR SERIES since his rookie season in 2010, which is seventh among active drivers and 22nd all-time. His Indy car highlights include wins in the 2017 and 2020 Indianapolis 500, 2013 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, 2018 Portland Grand Prix, 2019 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and Bommarito 500 at WWT Raceway, with four of the six coming with RLL. Of his 14 podium finishes to date, 10 have come with RLL as have three of his 10 Indy car poles. Prior to joining the INDYCAR SERIES, he competed in 90 Formula One races between 2002-2008 with his highest finish of third at the 2004 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

About Takuma Sato’s Indy 500 Sponsor

AMADA AMERICA, INC. is headquartered in Buena Park, California. AMADA is the leading global machine tool manufacturer and supplier in the sheet metal industry. The AMADA brand represents Quality, Service, and Sustainability. AMADA machine tools consistently set global standards for performance and reliability. Each year, AMADA continues to develop and perfect innovative sheet metal manufacturing solutions with the objective of maximizing our customers’ productivity.

“During AMADA's 80th Anniversary Year, we can think of no better way to mark this extraordinary milestone than partnering with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Takuma Sato once again for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500," said Mike Guerin, CEO, Amada, America, Inc. "Our partnership continues to reflect a shared commitment for peak performance through relentless determination and innovation. What more fitting place to highlight our collaborative commitment to these ideals than racing's biggest stage?”

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season resumes with the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on March 29 at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. The 18-race schedule includes new venues in Arlington, Texas, Markham, Ontario, Canada and Washington, D.C. Live coverage of races are carried on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Takuma Sato’s Indy 500 Team Details

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Zionsville, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2025, the team will compete in its 34th year of competition and will attempt to add to its 30 Indy car wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Takuma Sato -- their 37 poles, 112 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 - Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. From 2014 to 2021, BMW Team RLL competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program. In 2022, BMW M Team RLL competed in the GTD PRO class in IMSA while simultaneously ramping up for a two-car program in the much-anticipated GTP class in IMSA for 2023. In total, the team has earned 24 wins – including the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races, 30 poles and 103 podium finishes prior to the start of the 2025 season. BMW M Team RLL highlights also include second-place finishes in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017 and being named the 2020 Michelin North American Endurance Champions.

Takuma Sato hopes to add another great accomplishment in 2026 for the team if he can win his third Indianapolis 500.

Takuma Sato waves to the fans during driver introductions before the 109th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Photo by Joe Skibinski

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