Sato Wins 101st Indianapolis 500, Earns $2.45M

Takuma Sato earned $2,458,129 from an overall purse of $13,178,359 for his victory Sunday in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The Verizon IndyCar Series veteran, from Tokyo, became the first Japanese winner of the Indianapolis 500, fending off three-time winner Helio Castroneves by .2011 of a second to the checkered flag.

Sato took the lead from Castroneves for good on Lap 195 of the 200-lap race. He led twice for 17 laps.

Castroneves, who dodged multiple on-track incidents and led nine laps even after receiving a drive-through penalty, earned $770,629 for finishing second. He became one of seven drivers with three Indianapolis 500 runner-up finishes.

Toward the end of the race, Castroneves had to worry about third-place finisher, rookie driver Ed Jones, in his rear-view mirror. Jones never led in the race but ended up as the top rookie finisher, earning $535,629.

Max Chilton, led a race-high 50 laps, finished in fourth place and earned $484,129.

Rounding out the top five was 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, who led 22 laps and earned $438,129.

Pole sitter Scott Dixon earned $446,629 despite placing 32nd. He was unhurt after a frightening crash with Jay Howard on Lap 53 in which Dixon's car went airborne and hit the inside SAFER Barrier between Turns 1 and 2.

Fernando Alonso earned $305,805, including $50,000 for being named Sunoco Rookie of the Year. Two-time Formula One World Champion Alonso was the top-qualifying rookie, in fifth, and led 27 laps - more than any other rookie - before ending up 24th after a mechanical problem on Lap 180 halted his race while running seventh.

The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Verizon IndyCar Series awards, plus other designated and special awards.