One frequently advanced theory about IndyCar racing is that its popularity in the United States would increase if more American-born drivers were part of the series.
Tony Kanaan seemed to run the wheels off that notion at the Indianapolis 500.
The Brazilian driver was hands down the favorite of the fans in the grandstand Sunday for the race won by Scotland's Dario Franchitti.
Kanaan, 37, has won 14 IndyCar Series races, but he has not won the Indy 500, the circuit's most prestigious event.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway crowd was behind Kanaan when he charged to the front of Sunday's race and pulled for him during the closing laps.
Kanaan, who led seven laps, wound up finishing in third place, behind teammates Franchitti and Scott Dixon.
Kanaan (pictured) is ninth in driver points as the series heads this week to Detroit for a road-course race on Belle Isle.

One thing in common about the drivers who will start in the front row for the Indianapolis 500: None has ever won the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe has six IZOD IndyCar Series victories on his resume. James Hinchcliffe, who'll start in the middle, is looking for his first IndyCar checkered flag.
Briscoe, an Australian who drives for Team Penske, finished fifth in the 2007 Indy 500.  Briscoe's No. 2 car gave team owner Roger Penske the 17th Indy 500 pole of Penske's career.
Hinchcliffe, who like the other front-row-drivers is powered by a Chevrolet motor, will be driving in his second Indy 500. The Toronto native is third in points in the IndyCar Series. He drives the No. 27 car.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, whose No. 28 car will start on the outside of the front row, hails from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He has three career victories and is fourth in the 2012 driver standings. Hinchcliffe and Hunter-Reay drive for Andretti Autosport, whose owner is Michael Andretti.
Briscoe is seventh in driver points.
In the photo above, Hunter-Reay is at left, Hinchcliffe in the middle and Briscoe at right.

Scott Dixon turned a lap of 223.088 mph, the fastest during practice Thursday for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The pole winner for the May 27 race will be determined Saturday.
Dixon won the 2008 Indy 500.