Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) pours milk over his head to celebrate winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan wipes tears from his face after winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) celebrates with teammates after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) celebrates after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) and team co-owner David Letterman kiss the bricks after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The crew of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan celebrate after the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
President and CEO of Gainbridge, Dan Towriss waves the green flag for the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Cars bunch up after a restart in turn one during the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Andretti Herta Autosport with Marco & Curb-Agajanian driver Marco Andretti (98) puts on his helmet in preparation for the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (1) of United States bumps fists with a teammate the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Jim Cornelison sings “Back Home again in Indiana,” before the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover near the start of the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Andretti Autosport driver James Hinchcliffe (29) heads through turn three during the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Racing fans line the fence during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Joe Malia and friends watch the 104th Indianapolis 500 from a tree stand near Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) heads out of turn one during the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The field of drivers navigate the course that is devoid of fans in the stands during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan removes his helmet after winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) and team, aside owners Bobby Rahal, Mike Lanigan and David Letterman, kiss the bricks after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. Letterman missed his spot and had to wait until the next kiss.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan celebrates in his car after winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) and team celebrate winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan pours milk on his face after winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
A cleaning crew wipes hand rails as cars enter the track near Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) and team celebrate winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) celebrates winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Conor Daly (47) of United States and Arrow McLaren SP driver Oliver Askew (7) of United States crash as they exit the fourth turn during a re-start of the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Andretti Autosport driver Alexander Rossi (27) hits the wall in turn two during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
The crew of Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (21) of Netherlands scramble as his car slides into the pits, hitting the pit wall during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Marcus Ericsson (8) hits the wall in turn one during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
IndyCar drivers compete in the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Kent Evans, of the Gordon Pipers, performs outside Prime 47 Steakhouse Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. The Gordon Pipers are traditionally a fixture at the Indianapolis 500 pre-race festivities. Evans, who grew up in Speedway, has been playing at the race for 30-years.
An elite selection of fans watch the race from the comfort of the Pagoda during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
The Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robinson with the “Singing Surgeons” preform the national anthem at the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Graham Rahal (15) prepares to load into his car before the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Conor Daly (47) of United States is helped on to a stretcher after a wreck during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay (28) loads into his car just before the drivers start their engines prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Andretti Autosport driver Alexander Rossi (27) loads into his car prior to the start of the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The crew for A.J. Foyt Enterprises driver Dalton Kellett (41) prepares to pull their car through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) heads into turn three during the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Due to COVID-19, stands sit empty as cars begin to be pulled through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The car of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing driver Sage Karam (24) is pulled through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The car of Andretti Autosport driver James Hinchcliffe (29) is pushed through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The car of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) is pulled through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles gives the thumbs-up to a track prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The car of Chip Ganassi Racing driver Felix Rosenqvist (10) is pushed through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The Borg-Warner Trophy sits on Pagoda Plaza prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The car of Andretti Autosport driver Alexander Rossi (27) is pulled through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon (9) heads through turn three during the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The car of Carlin driver Max Chilton (59) is pulled through Gasoline Alley prior to the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (21) of Netherlands pits during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud (22) of France comes out of turn four during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Seats sit empty at the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Andretti Autosport driver Alexander Rossi (27) of United States leads the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon (9) heads around turn three during the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
The crew of Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (21) of Netherlands straighten his car on the track after he slid into the pits, hitting the pit wall during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Drivers compete in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves (3) of Brazil leaves the pits during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
Members of media gathers around the Victory Podium to photograph Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan after winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Drivers race into turn one during the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan won the race.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) celebrates with team co-owners Mike Lanigan, David Letterman and Bobby Rahal after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) celebrates winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) wins the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) celebrates winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.
63/63 SLIDES
Everyone is bracing for Hurricane Laura while the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs are underway during the dog days of August.
College football may or may not be played this fall. And if it is played, it may be played by no more than 50 schools.
Sunday brought to an end to the Month of August instead of the Month of May at Indianapolis with the non-traditional running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing – the Indianapolis 500 – without spectators, of course.
However, two traditions did take place Sunday inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: winner Takuma Sato of Japan sipping the victory milk and the fact the most dominant car and driver of the day, Scott Dixon, did not win.
Dixon led the most laps Sunday – 111 – but found himself trying to run down Sato over the last 30 laps of the race. He was in position heading into the final five laps before Sato’s teammate, Spencer Pigot, wrecked coming off turn four and slammed violently into the pit lane attenuator. Dixon settled for second as the race ended under the yellow flag. Controversial or not, ending the race that way was the correct call. It would’ve taken more than an hour to make the proper repairs to the track and NBC would’ve moved on to other programming.
The ending robbed Dixon of a chance to cement his status as one of the all-time greats in Indy car racing. The 40-year-old New Zealander is without peer in modern major league open-wheel racing in this country. He has won five season championships and is the favorite to win this year’s patchwork season. His 49 career victories are third most in history, trailing only A.J. Foyt (67) and Mario Andretti (52).
Dixon has won just one Indy 500, though, with that win coming in 2008.
There is no shame in that.
Ask Michael Andretti, whose son Marco sat on the pole Sunday, what he would trade for just one Indianapolis 500 victory. Andretti led 431 laps in his 500 career, including 160 of a possible 200 in 1992 when he obliterated the field. Michael was within seconds of lapping second-place Al Unser Jr. and third-place Scott Goodyear in 1992 when the fuel pump of his Ford powerplant broke with 10 laps left. Unser would go on to win the first of his two 500s.
Interesting fact is Michel Andretti’s career laps led in the 500 are two more than Rick Mears led in his career at the 500. Mears is one-third of the exclusive four-time 500 winners club with Foyt and Al Unser Sr.
Dixon’s career parallels another all-time great, that being seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who is wrapping up his career this season. Johnson’s resume ranks up there with the best in NASCAR history, save Richard Petty. Yet, many want to place an asterisk next to Johnson through no fault of his own after NASCAR changed the way it crowns its season champion from a season-long slog to a playoff format.
Johnson’s 83 victories are tied for sixth-most in NASCAR history. He is two wins away from sole possession of fourth place. Two of those 83 wins came in the Daytona 500.
Where Dixon and Johnson diverge, though, is how their careers are currently playing out.
Johnson, who turns 45 next month, hasn’t won in 120 races, dating back to Dover in June 2017. It is the longest winless streak in his career.
Dixon opened the modified 2020 Indy car season with three consecutive wins and has two more runner-up finishes, including the 500 Sunday. He holds a commanding 84-point lead with maybe five or six races left.
A championship in 2020 would put Dixon within one of tying Foyt’s open-wheel record. Foyt’s win record and four Indy wins are likely out of reach of Dixon, but no one should be surprised if he matches Foyt for season titles.
You just wonder if Dixon would trade a championship for five more laps Sunday in an attempt to pass Sato.
John Marcase is a former assistant managing editor and sports editor of The Town Talk. He writes a weekly column.
A day after his 2014 win, Ryan Hunter-Reay poses for photos as his son Ryden Hunter-Reay waves a flag.
Alexander Rossi celebrates with the traditional bottle of milk after winning the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2016. Rossi triumphed in his first Indy 500 attempt.
Scott Dixon goes airborne and crashes in front of Helio Castroneves (3) during the 101st Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2017.
Takuma Sato becomes the first Japanese to win the Indianapolis 500, when he won the 101st running on May 28, 2017.
Will Power screams with excitement after winning the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2018.
Simon Pagenaud dumps the celebratory bottle of milk over his head after winning the 103rd Indy 500 on May 26, 2019.
6/6 SLIDES
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Marcase: Dixon denied chance to pad resume with 500 finish
Scott Dixon and Takuma Sato had a 20-lap chase for the win Saturday with Dixon reversing the finishing order from the Indianapolis 500 a week ago By KEN ROBERTS Associated Press August 29, 2020, 11:52 PM • 4 min read Share to FacebookShare to TwitterEmail this article MADISON, Ill. — […]
