Britain's Dario Franchitti won the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday when rains swept across the Brickyard for a second time to bring America's most famous motor race to an early end.

With storm clouds closing in on the 2.5 mile oval, a multi-car crash involving Franchitti's team mate Marco Andretti sealed the win for the Scot as driving rains brought out the chequered flag with 166 of the scheduled 200 laps completed.

New Zealand's Scott Dixon and two-times champion Heilo Castroneves of Brazil avoided the late carnage to finish second and third.

It marked the second time in four years the race failed to go the distance because of rain.