Wheldon wins his first Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS, May 29 (UPI) -- Dan Wheldon outraced female challenger Danica Patrick Sunday to win the 89th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The victory was Wheldon's first Indy 500 win. It was his fourth win in five starts this year and seventh of his IndyCar career. It also gave car owner Michael Andretti his first Indy 500 win after going zero-for-14 as a driver.

The No.26 Andretti Green Racing Honda grabbed the lead from Patrick on lap 193 and held it the rest of the way. The race finished under caution following a crash by Sebastien Bourdais.

Patrick, trying to stretch her fuel for more than 38 laps, fell to fourth place behind Vitor Meira and Bryan Herta.

The race began as a duel between pole winner Tony Kanaan and Sam Hornish Jr., who took the lead on the opening lap.

Patrick took her first lead of the day on lap 56 and became the first woman to lead a lap at the Indianapolis 500.

A final caution for a crash brought out the yellow and white flag and the race ended under caution with Wheldon taking the checkered flag at 65 m.p.h.