Sato's 500 sponsor returns for Belle Isle

A debut win with Takuma Sato at the Indy 500 has inspired the Japanese driver's primary sponsor to return for this weekend's doubleheader on the streets of Belle Isle. Indiana-based Ruoff Home Mortgage will continue to adorn Sato's No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda for the Dual in Detroit, albeit in a reduced role as an associate sponsor.

"Ruoff joined us just five days before the 101st Indy 500 and we couldn't have been more thrilled with being able to provide them the win," said Andretti Autosport CEO Michael Andretti. "It's great to see the partnership expand into a sponsorship for Takuma in Detroit and we hope to continue conversations and grow into an even larger relationship."

In place of Ruoff, Sato's sidepods will carry the #CheckIt4Andretti this weekend to promote the colon cancer awareness initiative led by team owner Andretti's cousin John Andretti, who was recently diagnosed with the disease. Andretti took to social media to say the initiative was paying dividends.

Ruoff became the second consecutive Andretti sponsor to capitalize on an introduction to IndyCar racing through an Indy 500 sponsorship program. 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi had NAPA Auto Parts join the No. 98 Andretti-Herta Autosport Honda entry as its primary sponsor for the event, earned considerable publicity for the win, and has remained with the team on the American's car for select events, including last month's Indy race.