Notes: Sato earns first podium finish in the series

SÃO PAULO, Brazil – Two weeks ago at Long Beach, Takuma Sato was a few turns from potentially earning his first IZOD IndyCar Series podium finish. But a bump and run by Ryan Hunter-Reay, which didn't escape the view of Race Control, dropped the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver to eighth.

Fast forward to the Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle, where it didn't appear Sato would have a chance at a podium spot after starting 25th of 26 cars because of an unapproved engine change after practice April 28 and incurring a drive-thru penalty for a pit lane speed violation on Lap 12.

But that's exactly what the third-year IZOD IndyCar Series driver did over the course of 75 laps on the 2.536-mile, 11-turn street circuit.

“It is a fantastic feeling to finish third," he said. "It was an eventful race starting from the back of the grid.  I needed to fight back so hard to get the positions back. The first part of the race was really hard, not necessarily on the overtaking but to follow the strategy, and at one stage we had a pit speed penalty but we gradually moved up.

"Finally, after a difficult weekend, it is a relief to get this result and I am really pleased to bring the team a third place and see the first checkered flag of the season. It was a great day.”

First weather-free event

More than 52,000 spectators, according to the promoter, cheered as all four Brazilian drivers competing in the race were running in the top 10 on Lap 34.

Though only one -- Rubens Barrichello, competing in his first IZOD IndyCar Series race in his hometown -- finished in the top 10, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm.

"I just want to thank all the Brazilian fans for coming out to the race," said Barrichello, who was running fifth on Lap 34. "I gave my very best. Unfortunately, because of all the cautions flags our strategy didn’t work out but it will out some other day."

It was the first weather-free race in the three years of the event.

Fans can get free ticket through Shell

Shell will serve as the presenting sponsor when Roger Penske, the most winning team owner in Indianapolis 500 history, is saluted during Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske Presented by Shell on May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

As part of the sponsorship, Shell will provide fans with the opportunity to receive a free ticket voucher to the event with a minimum $10 purchase at participating Shell stations on c-store offerings, fuel, or a combination of both including Shell V-Power.

Fans can bring their receipt to the station cashier to receive their ticket voucher, which can be redeemed at the IMS Ticket Office with the purchase of one general admission ticket.

Of note

James Hinchcliffe and Will Power are the only drivers to have finished in the top 10 in all four races. ... Rookie Josef Newgarden, after his car was bumped and spun on a Lap 29 restart, posted the fastest lap of the race on Lap 58. ... Oriol Servia gained 12 spots relative to his starting position and finished a season-best 11th. He has advanced 39 spots over the first four races. ... Hard-luck finisher: Ed Carpenter was running fifth before pitting on Lap 54. He finished 20th after getting bumped from behind in Turn 11 on Lap 63 and spinning in Turn 1 a few laps later. ... A flyover (below) following the national anthems surprised many with how low the jets flew above the Sambodromo.