Simon Pagenaud gambles on fuel to win inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis

Sebastian Saavedra, left, of Colombia, is hit by Mikhail Aleshin, of Russia, at the start of the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Robert Baker) (The Associated Press)

Ryan Hunter-Reay leads a the field at start of the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 10, 2014. Sebastian Saavedra, of Colombia, Mikhail Aleshin, of Russia, and Carlos Munoz, of Bogota, were all involved in an accident at the start of the race.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – Simon Pagenaud has won the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis by stretching his fuel to the finish on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Frenchman was one of several drivers to gamble on fuel strategy, and made it stick for the final 29 laps Saturday to earn his third career IndyCar victory.

Ryan Hunter-Reay was second and followed by Helio Castroneves, Sebastien Bourdais and Charlie Kimball.

The race began with a violent wreck when pole-sitter Sebastian Saavedra stalled on the standing start. He was hit by multiple cars, and debris struck Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard as he waved the green flag.

Later, James Hinchcliffe was taken from the track on a stretcher following an accident. IndyCar said he was transported to a hospital because of an unspecified injury.