INDIANAPOLIS -- Tora Takagi, whose fifth-place finish was the best among nine first-year drivers, was selected Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year Monday night.

Tagaki, driving for Mo Nunn Racing, started seventh and was among the leaders for most of Sunday's race.

He led two laps before a late pit stop took him out of contention.

"It was a great race, lots of people,'' he said. "I saw 300,000 people and thought, 'Wow!' I'll be back.''

Takagi, a former Formula One driver from Shizuoka, Japan, received a check for $363,515 at the annual Victory Dinner. His winnings included $25,000 as rookie of the year.