Sato confirmed at Rahal Letterman Lanigan

"I'm excited about having Taku back with us," said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with with Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan and David Letterman. "I have such admiration for his spirit and how he approaches everything and was so happy for him when he won the Indy 500 this year. The chance to bring him back to the team was too good to pass up. He and Graham get along very well and we will have two strong cars that can win any race in 2018.

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"I think that will give our team a great chance at being contenders in every race but it's also going to give each of our drivers a chance to have their best years ever. I'm excited about it and even though the 2017 season just concluded, I can't wait for the 2018 season to start."

As RLLR's lone full-time driver in 2012, Sato earned two podiums but crashed on a regular basis - including during an unforgettable challenge to Dario Franchitti on the final lap of the 500 - which left him 14th in the final standings. In 2017, he earned poles at Detroit and Pocono to accompany the 500 win and top-5s at St. Petersburg, Belle Isle and Mid-Ohio. 

"I am extremely happy to be back with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing," added Takuma Sato. "Bobby, Dave and Mike have always been very supportive of me. The team has been ultra-competitive the past few seasons. I can't wait to be a part of it in 2018. I think we can achieve some great things together!"