final laps

INDIANAPOLIS, May 25 -- Over the final laps of Sunday's crash-filled Indianapolis 500, Scott Dixon showed exactly why he's known as the 'The Iceman.'

Dixon remained cool under the most extreme pressure, deftly navigating lapped traffic and holding off a hard-charging Vitor Meira for his breakthrough victory at the Brickyard in the race's 92nd running, the first since open-wheel racing's reunification in February.

Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history Sunday, taking the Indy Japan 300 after the top contenders were forced to pit for fuel in the final laps.

Patrick finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Helio Castroneves after leader Scott Dixon went in for a pit stop with five laps remaining.

'It's a long time coming.

Finally,' Patrick said. 'I was managing to save fuel and keep the speed up and when I saw Helio I knew he was the one to beat.'