By: Spencer Neff
February 15, 2024

On Thursday afternoon, two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Takuma Sato was announced as the driver of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s fourth entry in this May’s 108th running of the race.

Sato, who won in 2017 and 2020, the latter with RLLR, looks to make his 15th start in the race. L

ast season, he started eighth and finished seventh with Chip Ganassi Racong, his best effort across five oval races in 2023.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to make my return to the 108th Indy 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” Sato said in Thursday’s announcement.

“A heartfelt thank you to Bobby (Rahal), Mike (Lanigan) and David (Letterman) and the entire organization for this incredible opportunity.

“Gratitude overflows as I am driving the No. 75 entry with primary sponsorship from AMADA. My journey with RLL spans over a decade, marked by shared successes and rejoining the team fills me with immense excitement. Here’s to reconnecting with familiar faces and forging new alliances. I just can’t wait to get to work.”

2024 marks Sato’s third stint with RLLR. In his first season with the team, Sato crashed in Turn 1 on the last lap of the Indianapolis 500 following an intense battle with eventual winner Dario Franchitti.

During his 2020 victory, Sato earned his lone front row start, lining up third. In leading the team to their second “500” and first in 16 years, teammate Graham Rahal finished third.

“We’re very pleased to welcome back Takuma to the team,” RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal added.

“We obviously had a great deal of success together, and as I’ve said many times, Takuma’s spirit is something that motivates not only me and the entire team but also his fans. We’re looking forward to his contributions and having a successful Indy 500.”

Sato’s primary sponsor, AMADA, was previously on the No. 30 at Barber Motorsports Park in 2023.

We were actively looking for a machine tool company a few years ago that could give us a competitive advantage, and we got to know AMADA and learn more about the tremendous machines and the technology services they provide,” Rahal said of the partnership.

“And, of course, our facility is a showcase for some of their technology in our production area. After having them with us as a primary sponsor in 2023, we’re thrilled that the relationship continues to grow. I can’t imagine a better match than AMADA, Takuma and our team.”

The company will again be a major associate sponsor on the No. 30 for the April 21 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Sato joins the full-time RLLR lineup of the aforementioned Rahal in the No. 15 along with 2023 Toronto winner Christian Lundgaard in the No. 45.

Pietro Fittipaldi joins the team for his first full-time INDYCAR season as driver of the No. 30 car.

Header Image By Chris Jones/INDYCAR