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Sato Continues IndyCar Attack

Milwaukee, WI – With almost half of the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule in the rearview mirror, Takuma Sato is having a career season.

The Japanese born driver with a “No Attack. . . No Chance” attitude, and t-shirts to match, scored his first IZOD IndyCar Series victory on the Streets of Long Beach back in April this year and followed up with a second place run on the Streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A spin in the Indianapolis 500 didn’t deter Sato, who then drove through the field to finish thirteenth. With the exception of the season opening race at St. Petersburg and the most recent series race at Texas, Sato has scored his best career finish at each track he has visited this season and currently sits fifth in the series point standings.

Now in his fourth season in the IZOD IndyCar Series, Sato switched teams after last season and now drives for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the legendary number 14 ABC Supply Company Dallara powered by Honda. Clicking with the new team adding to his three seasons of IndyCar experience has equaled success for Sato.

“The racing here [in IndyCar] is different,” said Sato. “I had to learn so many things [starting in IndyCar] and year by year, it’s just getting better and better. This year we just naturally bonded. I’m believing in myself and believing in the team, I’m able to commit very well. It’s the combination of everything. This year it just has all come together.”

Sato started racing late in his life compared to most. After competing in bicycle racing, Sato pooled his money and jumped into kart racing at the age of nineteen.

“I was really keen on racing, but my parents had no idea,” Sato explained. “So I had no chance to do karting like everyone else, but I was always dreaming of it. I did a half year of karting at age nineteen and received a scholarship at age twenty to the Suzuka Racing School, and that launched my career. “

In less than six years Sato went from learning to race in karting to competing in Formula One.

“Within five years since I stepped into a kart, I was in F1,” said Sato. “I was lucky, as well as I pushed myself really hard and tried to break my limits all the time. I was not trained very well, but I really enjoyed the racing and I was competitive.

Race fans were completely introduced to Sato during the 2012 Indianapolis 500. On the final lap of the race, Sato attacked and raced to the inside of leader Dario Franchitti as the two headed into turn one. Contact was made between the cars and Sato ended up in the turn one wall while Franchitti went on to win the race. While the move was brazen and didn’t turn out like he planned, Sato was praised by his team as well as many fans who consider the moment one of the most exciting moments in Indy 500 history.

“I’ve always been racing the same way, but the 500 last year was one of the highlights of my career,” Sato said. “We were going for it, we were going for the win and I really appreciate that the fans supported it. Obviously I was disappointed in the race outcome, but when I came back to the garage all the boys on the team were hugging me and there were hundreds of fans outside the garage cheering for me. That made me feel great and just made me want to come back stronger.”

One of those rare drivers who has an extraordinary feel and can remember everything that happens in his race car, Sato has brought the number 14 back to the front of the pack this season with a mix of technical and aggressive driving.

Look for Sato continue to “attack” at IndyCar Series races giving him a more than a “chance” to end up in victory lane holding the trophy.

Find out more about Sato at TakumaSato.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/TakumaSatoRacer

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