Following the trend that’s seen Sato perform better with less forgiving team owners, the elder Foyt’s fiery nature could propel the Tokyo native earn his first win since 2001.

The team is also seeking its first win since the 2002 season, and a first for its loyal sponsors at ABC Supply.

Larry and A.J. Foyt, left, will run Chase Austin, middle, at the Indy 500 and could look to keep the No. 41 car on track at other rounds. (Photo: Marshall Pruett)

Sato’s longtime relationship with Honda Japan, which has backed his career for more than a decade, and with Panasonic, which has helped to bankroll the 35-year-old’s IndyCar endeavors, are expected to continue under the Foyt banner once all of the contractual details are completed.

Under Larry Foyt’s direction, the team has continually increased its competitiveness. Foyt has also retained Don Halliday, the respected racecar designer and engineer, to handle the No. 14 after Mike Conway departed the team prior to the season finale at Fontana.

The Kiwi veteran was a nice fit for Conway and the team, and would likely form an effective collaboration with Sato.

The team has committed to run rookie Chase Austin at next year’s Indy 500, and interest in keeping a second full-time entry on-track continues to grow.

Wade Cunningham, who stepped in for Conway at Fontana, Conway himself, and American Conor Daly have all been mentioned as candidates to share time in the No. 41 across a 19-race calendar spread among road, street and oval tracks.

Daly, who was just confirmed as the team’s test driver at Sebring next week, spent the 2012 season competing in the European GP3 series, but is looking to land a top-tier drive in America for 2013.

Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, and covers the IndyCar Series. Before joining SPEED, Pruett worked in open-wheel racing for 20 years as a mechanic and engineer. He also contributes to RACER, Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett.