Story highlights Takuma Sato wins Indianapolis 500

Fernando Alonso forced to retire

Alonso says race one of best experiences of career

(CNN) Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win the Indianapolis 500 as F1 star Fernando Alonso was forced to retire with smoke billowing from his car with just 21 laps of the 200 lap race remaining.

Andretti Autosport driver, Sato, took the lead in the closing stages as he edged three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves of Team Penske into second.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Sato said after the race. "I can't thank enough this team. Hopefully the crowd enjoyed it."

"With three laps to go I really didn't know but I just knew I had to go for it," the 40-year-old added.

Castroneves was gracious in defeat, heaping praise on race winner Sato whose only previous Indycar victory came at the 2013 Long Beach Grand Prix.

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