A consummate drive from Dario Franchitti saw the Scot claim his second Indianapolis 500 victory and Britons gain all three leading places.

The Team Ganassi driver's main competition came from the Penske pair of Helio Castroneves and Will Power but the Briton was able to hold the lead through most of the opening half of the race.

Franchitti, the reigning IndyCar Series champion, found himself in fifth place as the race entered its final 20 laps but he knew the lead would come back to him as all the cars ahead needed to stop for fuel if they were to make the finish.

"This tastes just as good the second time," said Franchitti, who won his first title in 2007.

The 37-year-old's win was completed under a yellow flag after a huge accident involving Mike Conway (see footage above). The Dreyer and Reinbold driver hit the back wheel of Ryan Hunter-Reay before flying into the spectator fencing and crashing back down to the track.

The impact ripped the car to pieces, with Conway's seating position and front nose the only parts of the car left intact as it slid along on its roll hoop.

Despite the severity of the impact Conway was taken to hospital with no more than an injury to his right leg.

The former series champion Dan Wheldon was second after Tony Kanaan was forced to refuel with four laps remaining. It was particularly tough on the Brazilian who had brilliantly worked his way through from the back of the grid.

Alex Lloyd made it a memorable day for the British as he took third place.