Indy 500 highlights: Kanaan wins after late caution

Chris Jenkins and Jeff Olson | Special for USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Kanaan finally broke through to win his first Indianapolis 500, winning under caution.

Kanaan, who has become an Indianapolis favorite, ended years of frustration at the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Kanaan, who thanked his crew over and over as he crossed the finish line, said before the race, "it was win or else."

Two late cautions helped Kanaan achieve victory.

Graham Rahal crashed with seven laps remaining in the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Rahal, the son of 1986 champion Bobby Rahal was looking for his first Indianapolis 500 win. The Rahals were hoping to join Al Unser and Al Unser Jr. as the only father-son duo to win the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Reigning IndyCar champion Ryan-Hunter Reay was leading Tony Kanaan, Carlos Munoz when the caution flag flew.

One lap after the green flag flew with four laps remaining, Dario Franchitti hit the wall, bringing another yellow flag. Kanaan grabbed the lead right before the caution flew.

Hildebrand crashes early

J.R. Hildrebrand is the first driver out of the Indianapolis 500 after a hard wreck on the fourth lap.

Hildrebrand spun out between Turns 1 and 2, hitting the wall hard and scraping away most of the left side of his car.

The northern California native, who walked away from the car under his own power, said he might have been slightly off line.

"I got a little loose in the middle of the corner," Hildebrand said to television reporters after being checked and released from the infield care center. "I'm incredibly disappointed. I thought we had a car to run up front."

Hildrebrand, who drives the the No. 4 National Guard car for Panther Racing, started 10th in Sunday's race.

He's best known for crashing on the last turn of the last lap in the 2011 race, costing him a shot to win as a rookie. He finished 14th at Indianapolis last year.

Sato spins, saves car

Takuma Sato spun on the exit of Turn 2 on the 57th lap, but recovered without hitting anything and continued on the lead lap.

It wasn't the first Indy spin for Sato, who was running among the top 10 a few laps before the spin. Last year, he was challenging Dario Franchitti for the lead when he spun and crashed on the final lap.

Franchitti went on to win, while Sato finished 17th. Sunday's spin dropped him to 24th.

Carpenter wobbles under caution

A misstep under caution nearly caught race leader Ed Carpenter by surprise.

Carpenter was swerving back and forth to keep his tires clean and warm when he suddenly dipped onto the infield grass in Turn 3 on the 39th lap. He recovered and retained the lead, telling his crew by radio that he nearly lost control while scrubbing his tires.

Shortly before that, a crash cost Sebastian Saavedra. Saavedra crashed in Turn 2 on the 36th lap, blaming Pippa Mann for forcing him too low. He was not injured.

Rahal, Jakes fined for pit road infractions

IndyCar officials administered financial penalties to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing teammates Graham Rahal and James Jakes during Sunday's race for improper entry and exit of pit lane.

Jakes was later assessed a penalty on Lap 95 for an undisclosed pit safety violation.

Each was fined $10,000 for the earlier violations, track officials reported, although the specific nature of those violations was not disclosed. The violations came during pit stops after Sebastian Saavedra crashed on Lap 35.

Officials said the drivers violated Rule 7.1.3.2.6, which reads, "The pit lane will start and end at points designated by Officials. The pit entrance and pit lane exit lanes are considered part of the Track. Drivers exiting the pit lane shall rejoin the pack relative to the position they are to the Safety Car and/or Cars on Track as they cross the blend out line. Taking improper position upon leaving the pit lane or failure of a Driver and/or Entrant to follow the direction of Officials may result in a minimum one-lap penalty. The Official's determination of the order is not subject to protest or appeal."

It was the fourth $10,000 fine for Rahal Letterman Lanigan in four days. After last week's qualifying sessions, the team was fined $10,000 each for two infractions in attempts to keep cars cool in the pits.

The team was assessed $10,000 for Graham Rahal's car and another $10,000 for Michael Jourdain Jr., who failed to qualify for the race.