Dan Wheldon hailed "a dream come true" after becoming the first Briton to win the Indianapolis 500 since 1966. Wheldon emerged on top after 27 lead changes over the 500 miles, the second highest in the race's 89-year history.
"This has been a dream come true for me - I've loved the Indy 500 ever since I was a little kid in England," he said.
"The best drivers and the best teams in the world are here. I don't think winning the event and being an Indy 500 champion has quite sunk in yet."
Wheldon battled it out in the closing stages with Danica Patrick, who was bidding to be the first woman to win the famous race at the Brickyard.
 |  I definitely got a lot of experience in different situations |
"I came from the back twice," said Patrick.
"It sucks back there. It's hard. I was more content running up front, it was much easier.
"I think what might have showed the most is that I was able to pass and I was able to learn how to set someone up better.
"I definitely got a lot of experience in different situations."
Patrick lamented a late lack of fuel that cost her the chance to win.
"It was frustrating to be leading the race with so few laps to go and not be able to finish hard and just hang out up front and win the thing," she said. "But I stalled and spun in the race so with all that stuff happening, for me to have to sacrifice a couple of positions to save fuel, so be it."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
