Sentimental favorite Tony Kanaan wins first Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Veteran driver Tony Kanaan finally won his first Indianapolis 500 on Sunday after 12 years of trying.

The Brazilian had become a sentinmental choice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway because he had come close to winning the legendary race several times.

On a restart with only four laps left, Kanaan took the lead and then, when three-time winner Dario Franchitti crashed with only two laps remaining, which brought out the caution flag, the field was frozen and Kanaan had secured the victory.

“I got a little bit of luck today,” Kanaan told a television audience after he had doused his head with the traditional milk in Victory Lane. “I’m speechless. This is it, man. I made it.”

Rookie Carlos Munoz finished second, reigning IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was third and Marco Andretti finished fourth.

Franchitti and Helio Castroneves, who were each trying to win his fourth Indy 500, both came up short. Castroneves finished sixth and Franchitti was 23rd after his accident.

The last charge to the finish was set up when Graham Rahal spun and crashed coming out of Turn 2 with only six laps left in the 200-lap race.

The race was exceptionally competitive with more than 60 lead changes, a record.