INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) – Dario Franchitti did not know whether to laugh or cry after winning Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. His emotions were so shredded so he did a little bit of each.

He kissed his wife, Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, then threw his arms around Susie Wheldon, whose husband Dan won last year’s Indy 500 before he was killed five months later in a horrific crash in Las Vegas.

Franchitti put on a pair of white-framed sunglasses, the same that Wheldon used to wear, then dedicated his win to his fallen friend.

“To be on either side of Dan, that means more to me than anything,” Franchitti said.

The Scotsman indulged in all the traditional winner’s celebrations. He got his knees and kissed the bricks and guzzled some milk before tipping the bottle on his head.

The crowds applauded and he broke into a smile, knowing Wheldon would have approved.

“Vegas last year was the lowest of the low but the reason we all got back in the cars, the reason the mechanics got back in pit lane, the reason why the fans came back to the races, is the emotion of days like today,” he said.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 (Reuters) – Dario Franchitti did not know whether to laugh or cry after winning Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. His emotions were so shredded so he did a little bit of each.

He kissed his wife, Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, then threw his arms around Susie Wheldon, whose husband Dan won last year’s Indy 500 before he was killed five months later in a horrific crash in Las Vegas.

Franchitti put on a pair of white-framed sunglasses, the same that Wheldon used to wear, then dedicated his win to his fallen friend.

“To be on either side of Dan, that means more to me than anything,” Franchitti said.

The Scotsman indulged in all the traditional winner’s celebrations. He got his knees and kissed the bricks and guzzled some milk before tipping the bottle on his head.

The crowds applauded and he broke into a smile, knowing Wheldon would have approved.

“Vegas last year was the lowest of the low but the reason we all got back in the cars, the reason the mechanics got back in pit lane, the reason why the fans came back to the races, is the emotion of days like today,” he said.

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) – He didn’t get to kiss the bricks or drench himself in milk, but Rubens Barrichello could not have been happier after safely completing his first Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.

The Brazilian missed out on doing the dubious traditional honors reserved for race winner Dario Franchitti but the 39-year-old did claim an unexpected win of some sort.

Of the nine rookies in the field, Barrichello finished the highest, crossing the line in 11th place after a grueling three hour race.

“It was a great achievement today. My first oval experience, it was very different than anything I’ve done,” he said.

“I’m very proud of what the team achieved. It’s a pity that we didn’t finish top 10 but I can be proud of that for my first time out.”

Despite his rookie status, Barrichello was one of the most experienced drivers in the field, having spent nearly two decades in Formula One before losing his seat and switching to IndyCar this year.

Only a handful of drivers have won the Indy 500 at their first attempt and Barrichello said he never really entertained any thoughts of winning because of his unfamiliarity with oval tracks and the American style of racing.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 (Reuters) – He didn’t get to kiss the bricks or drench himself in milk, but Rubens Barrichello could not have been happier after safely completing his first Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.

The Brazilian missed out on doing the dubious traditional honours reserved for race winner Dario Franchitti but the 39-year-old did claim an unexpected win of some sort.

Of the nine rookies in the field, Barrichello finished the highest, crossing the line in 11th place after a gruelling three hour race.

“It was a great achievement today. My first oval experience, it was very different than anything I’ve done,” he said.

“I’m very proud of what the team achieved. It’s a pity that we didn’t finish top 10 but I can be proud of that for my first time out.”

Despite his rookie status, Barrichello was one of the most experienced drivers in the field, having spent nearly two decades in Formula One before losing his seat and switching to IndyCar this year.

Only a handful of drivers have won the Indy 500 at their first attempt and Barrichello said he never really entertained any thoughts of winning because of his unfamiliarity with oval tracks and the American style of racing.

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) – Japan’s Takuma Sato was unrepentant after blowing his chances of winning Sunday’s 96th Indianapolis 500 when he crashed on the last lap attempting a risky overtaking move.

Sato was running second behind eventual winner Dario Franchitti when the field roared past the finish line for the penultimate time after a masterful drive through the field.

But his chances of becoming the first Asian driver to win America’s greatest race ended when he made a daring attempt to squeeze past Franchitti on the tricky first turn only to spin out of control and smack into the outside wall.

Quizzed about why he made his move with three bends still to go, Sato said he felt compelled to go for broke.

“I was going for the win,” he said.

Sato, who spent seven seasons in Formula One without a win, moved to IndyCar in 2010 and is still chasing his first victory.

The 35-year-old looked to have a great chance of ending his drought when he led Sunday’s race for 31 laps and was still near the leaders when a yellow caution flag was brought out 12 laps from the end.

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Scott Dixon was inconsolable after finishing runner-up in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, believing he would have won the race if Japan’s Takuma Sato did not crash on the last lap.

Dixon had to settle for second place behind his Scottish team mate Dario Franchitti after the 200-lap race ended under a yellow flag.

Dixon, who led 53 laps of the race, was perfectly placed to make a last-gasp ditch to win but was prevented from overtaking once the yellow flag was unfurled.

“I’m super gutted,” he said. “It’s tough when you get so close to have it ripped away from you. We were so close, we definitely had the car.”

Dixon’s hopes of overtaking his Ganassi Racing team mate were dashed when Sato, who was in second place in the mad scramble to the finish, tried to pass Franchitti on the first turn but spun out of control and hit the wall, forcing the yellow flag.

Dixon, who won the Indy 500 from pole position in 2008, said he was surprised Sato made his move when he did and was lucky not to take out Franchitti.

“I wasn’t expecting Sato to dive in there,” said Dixon.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 (Reuters) – Japan’s Takuma Sato was unrepentant after blowing his chances of winning Sunday’s 96th Indianapolis 500 when he crashed on the last lap attempting a risky overtaking move.

Sato was running second behind eventual winner Dario Franchitti when the field roared past the finish line for the penultimate time after a masterful drive through the field.

But his chances of becoming the first Asian driver to win America’s greatest race ended when he made a daring attempt to squeeze past Franchitti on the tricky first turn only to spin out of control and smack into the outside wall.

Quizzed about why he made his move with three bends still to go, Sato said he felt compelled to go for broke.

“I was going for the win,” he said.

Sato, who spent seven seasons in Formula One without a win, moved to IndyCar in 2010 and is still chasing his first victory.

The 35-year-old looked to have a great chance of ending his drought when he led Sunday’s race for 31 laps and was still near the leaders when a yellow caution flag was brought out 12 laps from the end.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Scott Dixon was unconsolable after finishing runner-up in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, believing he would have won the race if Japan’s Takuma Sato did not crash on the last lap.

Dixon had to settle for second place behind his Scottish team mate Dario Franchitti after the 200-lap race ended under a yellow flag.

Dixon, who led 53 laps of the race, was perfectly placed to make a last-gasp ditch to win but was prevented from overtaking once the yellow flag was unfurled.

“I’m super gutted,” he said. “It’s tough when you get so close to have it ripped away from you. We were so close, we definitely had the car.”

Dixon’s hopes of overtaking his Ganassi Racing team mate were dashed when Sato, who was in second place in the mad scramble to the finish, tried to pass Franchitti on the first turn but spun out of control and hit the wall, forcing the yellow flag.

Dixon, who won the Indy 500 from pole position in 2008, said he was surprised Sato made his move when he did and was lucky not to take out Franchitti.

“I wasn’t expecting Sato to dive in there,” said Dixon.

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) – Scotland’s Dario Franchitti won the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday to join an elite band of drivers to win the 101-year-old race three times.

Driving for the Ganassi Racing team, the 39-year-old Franchitti patiently worked his way through the pack after starting 16th on the grid, then won a mad sprint to the finish.

Franchitti’s New Zealand team mate Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner, finished second while Brazil’s Tony Kanaan was third as the race ended under a yellow flag when Takuma Sato of Japan crashed on the last lap while contesting for the lead.

“This means the world, this is Indianapolis,” said Franchitti. “To be on this trophy either side of Dan (Wheldon), that means more than anything.”

Wheldon, one of Franchitti’s closest friends, won the Indy 500 in dramatic circumstances last year but was killed in a season-ending race in Las Vegas.

Sunday’s race was preceeded by an emotional tribute to the popular Englishman. After the race, Franchitti embraced Wheldon’s widown, Susie, who watched the race with her two sons.

Franchitti also won the Indy 500 in 2007 and 2010 and became just the 10th driver to win at the Brickyard at least three times.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 (Reuters) – Scotland’s Dario Franchitti won the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday to join an elite band of drivers to win the 101-year-old race three times.

Driving for the Ganassi Racing team, the 39-year-old Franchitti patiently worked his way through the pack after starting 16th on the grid, then won a mad sprint to the finish.

Franchitti’s New Zealand team mate Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner, finished second while Brazil’s Tony Kanaan was third as the race ended under a yellow flag when Takuma Sato of Japan crashed on the last lap while contesting for the lead.

“This means the world, this is Indianapolis,” said Franchitti. “To be on this trophy either side of Dan (Wheldon), that means more than anything.”

Wheldon, one of Franchitti’s closest friends, won the Indy 500 in dramatic circumstances last year but was killed in a season-ending race in Las Vegas.

Sunday’s race was preceeded by an emotional tribute to the popular Englishman. After the race, Franchitti embraced Wheldon’s widown, Susie, who watched the race with her two sons.

Franchitti also won the Indy 500 in 2007 and 2010 and became just the 10th driver to win at the Brickyard at least three times.