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Japanese driver Takuma Sato credits AJ Foyt Racing for historic IndyCar win

Associated Press
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Takuma Sato, of Japan, celebrates his victory in the IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race, Sunday, April 21, 2013, in Long Beach, Calif. Sato became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (The Associated Press)

Takuma Sato of Japan celebrates after winning the IndyCar Series' Long Beach Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, April 21, 2013, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (The Associated Press)

Takuma Sato says joining AJ Foyt Racing put him in position to become the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race.

Sato returned to Japan on Friday to speak about his historic win last Sunday in the Grand Prix of Long Beach, just his third race with the team.

Sato says "motorsports is a team sport and you can't win without complete effort from the team."

The win at Long Beach came in Sato's 52nd career start in IndyCar, but was the first for AJ Foyt Racing since Airton Dare won Kansas in 2002.

On the last lap of last year's Indianapolis 500, Sato wrecked while trying to pass winner Dario Francitti.

Sato entered IndyCar in 2010 after seven seasons in Formula One.