IndyCar: Dale Coyne team finally confirms Takuma Sato for 2022

Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing has signed two-time Indianapolis 500 Champion Takuma Sato to drive its #51 Honda powered entry for the entire 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

“I am extremely excited that we were able to work out a deal with Dale, Rick and everyone at Dale Coyne Racing,” shared Sato. “With Honda an integral part of Dale Coyne Racing, it seemed like a great fit. The team has proven year after year that they are very competitive on all types of circuits.

“Particularly the speed that team has shown in recent years at the Indy 500 were very impressive. I am really looking forward to working with my new environment and can’t wait to get started.”

Sato brings 12 years of NTT INDYCAR SERIES experience with him to the team. In his 198 starts, he has finished on the podium 14 times and has six wins, including his two Indianapolis 500 victories. The 44-year-old driver has also started on pole position 10 times, has led 896 laps and has 70 top 10 finishes.

“Takuma has shown that he is one of the best drivers to ever race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Winning the famed Indianapolis 500 twice, we look forward to competing with our package of a good car with a great driver in the 500 next year. All of us on our team welcome the very talented Mr. Sato into our fold for 2022,” said team co-owner Dale Coyne.

Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Sato spent seven seasons in Formula 1 prior to his arrival in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2010. He most recently spent the last four seasons with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team.

Team co-owner Rick Ware added: “I am excited to have Takuma join the Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Family for 2022. Takuma’s experience within motorsports is extensive, not just in the United States, but around the world. With Takuma’s experience, and vast knowledge of the cars, we are really looking forward to stepping up the program and having a successful season, and maybe even add another INDIANAPOLIS 500 win to his list of achievements.”

The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off on the Streets of St. Petersburg February 25 – 27, 2022.

Last Updated December 9, 2021

2022 IndyCar Silly Season Page
Team Engine No. Driver Primary Sponsor Rating Comments
AJ Foyt Racing
Chevy
4 Dalton Kellett K-Line Fact Signed
14 Kyle Kirkwood ROKIT and Lights money Fact Signed

Andretti Autosport

Honda
25
Stefan Wilson Lohla Sport Speculation Indy 500 Only
26
Colton Herta Gainbridge Fact Signed
27 Alexander Rossi NAPA and AutoNation Fact Signed
28 Romain Grosjean TBA/Miami Breeze Car Care Fact Replaces RHR.
29 Devlin DeFrancesco Power Tap Hydrogen? Fact Signed
Arrow McLaren SP Chevy 5 Pato O’Ward Arrow Fact Signed
7 Felix Rosenqvist Arrow Fact Signed
Carlin Racing Chevy 59 Max Chilton Gallagher Insurance Strong Likely to re-sign
TBD Dan Ticktum TBD Speculation F2 driver gives up on F1 dream
Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 8 Marcus Ericsson Huski Chocolate Fact Signed
9 Scott Dixon PNC Bank Fact Signed
10 Alex Palou NTT Data Fact Signed
48 Jimmie Johnson Carvana Fact May run full season
Dale Coyne Racing w/Rick Ware Racing Honda 18 David Malukas TBD Strong Likely to sign
51 Takuma Sato Honda money Fact Replacing Romain Grosjean
52 Ryan Norman Koinu Inu Cryptro Speculation
Dreyer Reinbold Chevy 24 Sage Karam Wix Strong Indy 500 Only
67 JR Hildebrand Salesforce Strong Indy 500 Only
Ed Carpenter Racing
Chevy
21 Rinus Veekay Sonax Fact Signed
20
Ed Carpenter TBD Fact Ovals Only
Ryan Hunter-Reay AutoNation Speculation Part-Time Only
Conor Daly TBD Strong Indy 500 Only?
Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevy 77 Callum Ilott TBD Fact Signed full season
Meyer Shank Racing Honda 60 Simon Pagenaud AutoNation and SiriusXM Fact Signed
06 Helio Castroneves TBD Fact Signed
Paretta Autosport Chevy 16 Simona De Silvestro  TBD Strong Indy 500 Only
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda 15  Graham Rahal United Rentals Fact Signed
30
Christian Lundgaard TBD Fact Signed
45 Jack Harvey Hy-Vee Fact Signed
Team Penske Chevy 2 Josef Newgarden Hitachi Fact Signed
3 Scott McLaughlin Shell, PPG Fact Signed
12 Will Power Verizon Fact Signed
Top Gun Racing Chevy   RC Enerson US Navy? Fact Indy 500 Only?