INDIANAPOLIS — The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing mechanics had fewer than three weeks to assemble a brand new car before practice began for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 after Takuma Sato‘s crash during April’s open test.
After mechanics worked day and night to build a brand new chassis into a superspeedway missile, Sato qualified in second place for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
The speed to chase 👀
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 18, 2025
Takuma Sato is out first in the Firestone Fast Six for the #Indy500 at 232.478 mph pic.twitter.com/AiHlPdgTLr
The No. 75 Honda went around the two-and-a-half mile oval with a four-lap qualifying average of 232.478 mph in the Fast Six qualifying session. Sato’s average was only slower than Indianapolis 500 rookie Robert Shwartzman who was the first rookie to win pole position at Indianapolis since Teo Fabi in 1983.
“For our sake, I think no matter what (the) result was today, I think getting the top six was our goal,” Sato said. “Once we locked into the top six, I think we should be very proud of the team.
“I’m very happy for the team who put my car, the 75 car, on the front row, which is amazing result because I think we were kind of a roller coaster situation. Not just today, but through yesterday and probably the last two weeks. As everybody knows that the team has to build brand-new car after we had a moment in open test.
“Very happy for my engineer, Eddie Jones, who should be retired five years ago, but I keep pulling him back from Ireland. Myself and entire engineering team and 75 crew, you know, it’s amazing the people, just their dedication and meticulous job. I understand every team applied the same rule, but I think they did a phenomenal job. They are really great, deserve to be celebrated for the front row, and of course, I’m very, very happy to be back in the front row.”
The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner made two qualifying runs during Saturday’s session. The faster of those two runs had a four-lap average speed of 232.415 mph. That speed was ninth-fastest, locking the Japanese racer into the Top 12 qualifying session.
During Sunday’s Top 12 session, Sato’s four-lap average speed of 231.686 mph was sixth fastest, enough to guarantee him an entry into the Fast Six session. Sato was first out to make his attempt and was provisionally on pole position until Shwartzman took over the top spot.
Christopher DeHarde has covered IndyCar racing and the Road to Indy for various outlets since 2014. In addition to open wheel racing, DeHarde has also covered IMSA and various short track racing events around Indiana. Originally from New Orleans, DeHarde moved to the Indianapolis area in 2017 to further pursue a career as a motorsports writer.