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Radiated tortoise Marco, emerged from a five shell pileup to repeat as winner of the Indianapolis Zoo's Zoopolis 500, Wednesday.
As Tony Kanaan, winner of the 2013 Indianapolis 500, waved the green flag the field of five tortoises got off to a chaotic start. There were wrong turns and a pileup along the inside wall. One competitor did a u-turn and settled in at the starting line.
Marco, named for IndyCar Series driver Marco Andrtetti, fought his way through, and over, the field to open up a commanding lead.
The rest of the tortoises -- Alex, Ed, Helio and Pippa -- eventually followed the leader, inching their way to the checkered flag as hundreds of spectators cheered them on.
The event was presented by the American Dairy Association, but instead of the traditional glass of milk coveted by their namesakes, the natives of Madagascar enjoyed a plate of fresh fruit after the race.
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