Intro:

Ryan Hunter-Reay became the first American to win the Indianapolis 500 since 2006, making a dramatic pass of Helio Castroneves on the final lap to win Sunday's (25 May) race in the second-closest finish in history.

Script:

250,000 fans filled up the Indianapolis track for what they call "The Race of America" - The Indianapolis 500.

The American fans were looking for a homegrown winner for the first time in 8 years.

In Ryan Hunter-Reay, there wouldn't of been much hope that he could be that man starting from 33rd on the grid.

But the 2012 IndyCar champion methodically worked his way through the pack and when a heavy crash by Townsend Bell sprayed debris across the track to bring out the red flag with 10 laps to run the 33-year-old was suddenly in position to take the win.

When the race was restarted with a seething crowd of 250,000 on its feet, Hunter-Reay and Castroneves staged a dramatic two-car duel by swapping the lead over the final six laps.

Stalking Castroneves, Hunter-Reay made the decisive move entering the final lap surging to the front then won a drag race with the Brazilian down the home stretch.

Hunter-Reay the Brazilian Helio Castroneves a record-equaling fourth victory at the Brickyard.

While Hunter-Reay became the first American since Sam Hornish in 2006 to win "The Race of America."