Honda enjoys day of redemption at Indy 500

"They worked so bloody hard," Franchitti said in victory lane.

It was a much-needed day for Honda redemption after Team Penske Chevrolets had started the Izod IndyCar Series with four consecutive race victories.

• MORE: Crash-filled day at Indy 500

"It was our day," said Roger Griffiths, Honda Performance Development technical director. "We had a challenging month. Qualifying was not what we hoped for."

Pole-day qualifying had been nothing short of embarrassing as? Chevys took eight of the top nine spots. The buzz was Honda didn't have horsepower.

Others questioned whether Honda would have the fuel mileage, too.

"But we had strength in our convictions," Griffiths said. "This (race) is the one that we worked for; this is what we set our sights on two years ago when we first started working on this engine. Everything we've done until today has been all about getting to the end of this race and getting to the end in front."

Takuma Sato, who pushed Franchitti to the brink with a daring inside passing attempt in the first turn of the final lap, had a Honda. So, too, did Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon, runner-up beneficiary after Sato crashed out.

"The new engine was definitely better," said Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner. "Fuel mileage was vastly improved. Honda did a fantastic job to improve the power and fuel economy."

Dale Coyne Racing's Justin Wilson also gave Honda a rave review. He started 21st but eventually joined the lead pack and ran as high as third late before finishing seventh.

"Definitely early on in the race, we felt like we had an advantage for the first time this year," Wilson said of his Honda engine.

Charlie Kimball, in another Honda-powered Ganassi car, ended up eighth.

Honda engines had five of the top nine spots. Chevrolet engines placed third through sixth.